Mets 11 Padres 2

April 1, 2013
Monday afternoon
with Sujan and Marc
Queens

Another year, another Opening Day. No complaints from me. I don't care how bad the team I root for is, I love Opening Day. Sujan and Marc, on the other hand, were decidedly nonchalant about the whole thing. 


We missed the introductions which is always one of my favorite parts of Opening Day. Oh well, what could I do? I couldn't leave work early enough but I was just happy that I was there.

I was there early enough however to see the season ticket holder of the game and his nose picking son on the big screen. Brilliant.

First pitch! Jon Niese brought it home in front of a lot of empty seats.

You can tell it is going to be a long season when a number of the concession stands aren't even open on a day that is deemed a "sold out" game.

Sujan pointed out the absurdity of an All You Can Eat "deal" that concludes at the end of the 4th inning. God, the Mets are lame.

We found our seats and enjoyed the sunshine while it lasted.

Happiness
- The game was a beautiful romp for the home team. Newcomer Collin Cowgill hit a grand slam which might have been the first grand slam I've seen on Opening Day since my first Opening Day back in 1982. Eddie Murray, of course, hit it.

- The Mets scored nine runs with two outs and went 7 for 14 with runners in scoring position. Even Jon Niese went 2 for 2 with an RBI and a walk.

- The Mets have won 20 of their past 22 Opening Days when opening in New York.

- The three new Mets -- Cowgill, Marlon Byrd and John Buck -- were a combined 6 for 14 with seven RBI and five runs.

- John Buck reclaimed number 44 from the Jason Bay era. I loved watching him run the bases with a whole lot of hustle and a complete lack of speed. I predicted he would become a fan favorite. A monster April proved me correct. 

Things Not Known
- Sujan stated,  "I don't even know who the Mets manager is." She wasn't kidding. The answer - Terry Collins returning for his third year.

- I didn't know Marc didn't stand for God Bless America. Ballsy.


- The middle schooler sitting behind Marc asked him who was winning at one point. The Mets were winning 11-2 at the time.

- I asked Marc who he was dating these days. He snapped back, "Why? You want to put it in your write up? Don't!" Geez. The guy spends years desperately trying to make these write ups and then all of a sudden has no interest. 

Unhappiness
- Jason Bay and Bobby Bonilla are the two highest paid outfielders for the Mets.

- Ike Davis went 0 for 5 with 4 strikeouts. It hasn't gotten much better since. 






 - I'm still annoyed that the scoreboard doesn't give me last season's stats to start the game. Do I really need to know that every player has zeros across the board in his first at-bat?


- The new fancy sandwich shop had an unreasonably slow process. Marc learned the hard way.

- The middle schooler behind me said to his friend, "I don't know how adults watch this. Even on TV, this is boring. I need a souvenir. A foam finger or something. I want to go home."

- Upon finding out that Bobby Parnell was the Mets closer, Sujan was upset, "Really? This season keeps getting worse." I responded, "He's the poor man's Braden Looper." Sujan retorted, "He wishes he was the poor man's Braden Looper." Man, there was no love for the 2013 Mets on this day.

Hey negative Nellies! The Mets are 1-0!

It was a windy day. There was a brief delay to pick up the trash.

Not many stuck it out until the end. Pathetic. It's Opening Day, it wasn't that cold, and the Mets were winning big!

From the subway, I noticed something for the first time - I had no idea the platform still had signs for Shea Stadium. Amazing.

Posted: 5/19

Mets: 1-0
Padres: 0-1

Yankees 3 Orioles 1, Game 5 of the ALDS

October 12, 2012
Friday evening
with Erik
Yankee Stadium

Oh. My. God. My nemesis was at the game! The weirdo dude, not the girl.

Um ...

Even though the Buckle Up towel didn't work for me in Baltimore, I hoped to have better luck with it in enemy territory.

(photo by Erik)

Gotta say, I like the subway graphics.

Look at those clouds! I hoped they weren't an ominous sign about an impending Orioles defeat.

The blimp was having a difficult time. It was really windy and on many occasions, Erik and I  thought it was about to take a nosedive into center field. I was ok with it as long as Adam Jones wasn't taken out. I'm pretty sure this was the most amount of time I'd spent discussing a big crash into a baseball stadium since a game in 2000. 

A beautiful sunset means a beautiful Orioles victory is on the way, right?

Some thoughts:
- The Imperial Death March theme was played during the introduction of the Orioles lineup. Um, yeah, nice try. We all know who the Evil Empire is and it isn't the plucky Baltimore Orioles of 2012.

- The tickets on Stub Hub were much cheaper for this game than the one a few days earlier in Baltimore. I guess a division series just isn't that exciting to Yankees fans. Understandable.

- Before we went to our seats, Erik and I ordered Steak and Cheese sandwiches. Erik's was pretty sparse on the meat front. He asked for more. The server quickly gave Erik more and then looked up at him and snidely asked, "How is it looking now, sir?"

- The game was so so so close. And there was some controversy. Down 1-0 in the 6th, Nate McLouth's fly down the line was ruled foul. Was it fair? Possibly. But we all know the Yankees get the calls, especially home run calls in postseason games against the Orioles.

- CC Sabathia pitched a complete game four hitter. Boo!

- Alex Rodriguez was benched.

- Down 3-0 in the 8th, the Orioles finally started doing something. Lew Ford drove in a run which prompted this text from Jamie.

Then the Birds loaded the bases with one out.  This was it! I debated how many years at the tail end of my life I'd be willing to give up just for a grand slam. I didn't settle on an answer (at least 3 years though, right) before Nate McLouth struck out and JJ Hardy grounded out. End of threat. End of game.

Erik and I headed downstairs in the bottom of the 8th. I wanted to get out as quickly as possible once the game was over.

The bitter end.

The very end. Time to make our escape.

On the hurried walk to the 4 train, an Orioles fan said to me, "I hope we don't have to wait another 15 years for this." Me too, sir, me too.

- The Orioles finished with 93 regular season wins and 3 more in the playoffs. They turned it on the last two months as well. Yet, from 8/11 - 10/12, I saw them play in person four times. And they lost all four times. Awful. I'm awful.

I hope to have a better track record in 2013. I might even go to the game this Saturday. The boys insist they want to go and will stay the whole game unlike the one we went to last year. They also are happy that Nick Markakis is no longer hurt and can't wait to see him. Let's Go O's!

Posted: 4/11/13

Yankees 7 Orioles 2, Game 1 of the ALDS

October 7, 2012
Sunday night
with Doug
Camden Yards

While I was watching the Wild Card game against the Rangers, I kept checking StubHub on the prices for the first game of this series as well as texting friends who might want to come with me. As soon as the game ended, I was ready. The ticket was around 90 bucks and I had recent Baltimore immigrant Doug ready to go with me. I was ready for the first Orioles playoff game in 15 years.

The Jersey Turnpike on the way to the game.

Upon arriving at the game, I thought for a moment that Rich had actually decided to meet me at the game after all. But then I realized that guy is a Nats fan now.

It was a festive crowd.

But then we had to wait through a two and a half hour rain delay. The previous game I had attended in Baltimore also had quite a lengthy delay as well. Annoying.

The fans didn't care though. They were ready for game time.

Pregame introductions - so exciting!

Buckle Up!

(photo by Doug)

I looked a lot different 15 years ago. 

So ... onto the game.
- It was closer than the score indicates. Russell Martin hit a home run to start the 9th off of Jim Johnson and then things fell apart from there. It was 2-2 to start the 9th.

- Nate McLouth's 2 run single in the 4th was all the Birds could muster. They went 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position.

- JJ Hardy's leadoff double in the 8th got me excited for a brief moment but nothing happened.

- CC Sabathia went 8 2/3 innings.

What else?
- This was the first Orioles playoff loss I'd attended after personally going 3-0 back in '96 and '97.

- A woman named Pat sat next to me. She was a big Counting Crows fan. A really big fan.

- The fans were either more into this game than they were back in '96 and '97 or maybe I'm just less judgmental these days? I feel like they knew when to cheer and didn't need as much prompting from the scoreboard and deafening NBA style shenanigans.

- During God Bless America, Doug wondered if there was any opportunity to yell out O. Unfortunately, there isn't.

- Nate McLouth's walk up song is Mr. Mister's Kyrie. Wow.

- One time when Ichiro was up, some fans started a USA USA chant. Thankfully, they were shouted down within seconds.

- A Yankees fan behind us started celebrating loudly when the Yankees scored their first run. The guy in front of me immediately snapped at her, "Why don't you act like you've been here before?" Nice.

- Every time the Nats were mentioned, they were immediately booed. I like this burgeoning rivalry.

- Doug claims that he rarely sees any Adam Jones shirts worn by fans. I didn't believe him but I definitely didn't see any on this night. He said he's even seen people wear Mark Reynolds shirts but no Jones shirts.

- For the record, Doug is part of the Bill M. fraternity in his being anti Thank God I'm a Country Boy. Haters.

- I'm kind of obsessed with the Orioles take on Portlandia. Maybe it is time for Chris Larry to drop the Yankees. Can someone remind me again why he's a Yankees fan?

- Everyone got up and started dancing to that Gangnam Style song. Doug was appalled that I had never  even heard of it. It was like that time in '96 where I went to an Orioles game and everyone started doing the Macarena and I had no idea what was going on. I've been out of it for a long time apparently. Doug put the link to the video on my Facebook page so I'm almost ashamed to admit that I still haven't watched the damn thing. Maybe I'll click on the link above. Maybe.

- Speaking of 1996, I told Doug about the playoff game that year where my dad and I went to Game 4 of the ALCS between the Orioles and the Yankees. We had tickets for ALCS Game D which my dad assumed was Game 4. What it actually meant was Home Game 4 which would have been a Game 7 if the Orioles had four home games rather than three. We weren't the only ones who made this mistake. He wasn't particularly happy.

He would have been so excited to have been at this game and I can easily imagine the conversation about the game on the drive back home.  Oh Stone Groove. I miss that guy.

(photo by Doug)

Posted: 4/9/13

Yankees 4 Orioles 3

September 1, 2012
Saturday afternoon
with Sujan, Otis, and Sam (for a few innings)
Yankee Stadium

I love the 2012 Baltimore Orioles! I've got to admit I was slow to actually believe. I'd been burned too many times before into maybe sort of almost believing. Actually, that's not true. In the Lost Weekend of the previous 14 seasons, there was really only one season that the team seemed like they could actually do something.

Anyway, this game was the boys' first Orioles game since they were wee little guys. They were a little more engaged this time. Or at least more able to eat solid foods. They definitely were more intrigued by Nick Markakis this time - Otis, in particular, really likes the guy.

I was in a great mood. The Orioles were in the midst of erasing all those memories of late season fades (4-32 anyone? Never forget!) and the Yankees looked mortal. I reveled in loudly saying things to the boys like "Hey guys, let me teach you a new phrase. It's about the Yankees. Can you say 'Free fall?'" I mean, come on - who is going to hit a guy with glasses and with two youngsters in tow?

Let's go O's!

After a few innings, the boys were ready to leave. The tickets were free from Uncle Chuck so we didn't feel too badly.

Sam told me as they left that he'd look for me on TV. When they left, the Orioles had a 3-1 lead. Soon thereafter the wheels feel off though and a bases loaded walk and JJ Hardy's bases loaded error in the 7th gave the Yankees the lead. The Orioles blew a chance to pull to within one game of first place. Boo indeed. Up to that point, the Birds had won 13 straight one run games and 6 out of 7 overall. Wah!

Things had looked so promising too! Wei-Yin Chen started the game by retiring the first 11 Yankees in a row. Mark Reynolds continued his mastery of the Yankees with 2 RBI and Matt Wieters's 4th inning home run gave the Orioles a 3-0 lead. Again, wah!

One other thing of note - a Yankees fan who was heckling Nick Markakis was politely told to stop by an usher. And he complied. Wow. Gone are the days where fans of opposing teams were escorted out for their own safety simply for wearing the wrong hat. I saw that happen firsthand back in 1998 to an Indians fan.

Yankee Stadium - not even safe for hecklers anymore.

I loved being able to watch Ichiro up close. I never really realized how much in constant motion he always is in. I love him, hate that he's on the Yankees.

Wah!!!!!!

Orioles: 73-59
Yankees: 76-56

Posted: 3/31/13

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 5 Binghamton Mets 2

August 14, 2012
Tuesday night
with Jeremy
Manchester, NH

State number 42! And my first game with Jeremy in nine years! The game was at the conclusion of our mellow 2012 mix tape road trip. This made sense because this game was pretty damn mellow. Our not so mellow original 2002 mix tape road trip featured two baseball games - one of which fit perfectly with the overall craziness of that trip.


Regarding this game, I don't remember much. I remember enjoying a beer on a summer night. I remember having a good time hanging out with Jeremy on the last night of our trip.

And then I looked at the notes I took that night. Apparently, there was a tiny pony and a dunk tank. Apparently, Brandon Morrow was on a rehab start. Sal Fasano and his awesome 'stache were there acting as the manager for the Fisher Cats.

I scouted my top prospect in my AL fantasy league Jake Marisnick and vowed never to trade him after he ripped a double and a triple in his first two at-bats. I traded him a few weeks later. I also came to the conclusion that Mets prospect Allan Dykstra is no Cutter Dykstra. Jeremy also felt that the Binghamton squad had bad attitudes. He said they were too grumpy when they struck out and that one of their pitchers hit a guy. Jeremy's baseball acumen has really taken a hit since Trot Nixon has retired.

There also was a dog acting as a batboy.

Posted: 3/22/13

Royals 7 Orioles 3

August 11, 2012
Saturday night
with Rich, Courtney, Doug, Melissa, and Julie
Camden Yards

What a night! It was Eddie replica statue night! It was a night to bring together old friends and somewhat new friends. And it was a night to withstand a 3 hour plus rain delay! That's right - 3 incredibly long hours.

The night started on a promising night. I found parking near the ballpark and walked over. 

On the way, I passed this interesting ad on a bus stop. I like how Baltimore is taking back the word punk from the unwashed rock & roll masses.

But then literally right as we bought our tickets for the game, the heavens opened up and we got soaked. We huddled under a little bit of cover outside the park before finally making a break for it just to get in the gates.

And then we waited.

And waited.

(last 2 photos by Doug)

And waited.

We waited so long that we saw a whole bunch of sad kids wearing "Betemit's Ballers" shirts shuffle past us towards the exits.

Then at about 9 or so, they took the tarp off and it looked like they were going to finally get on with it. We cleared off some seats with some napkins and settled in. And then ... it started pouring again. Back with the tarp.

And then we waited some more. At least we had six Eddie Murray replica statues to keep us company.

Doug wasn't a fan of the nachos.

Making lemonade out of lemons.

Finally! Finally! It was almost game time. Julie went nuts.

More people stuck around than I would have expected to hear Eddie speak.

This couple was so excited to see Earl Weaver, Mike Boddicker, and Cal Ripken! And seeing Ozzie Smith was a pleasant surprise - at least for Doug.

(photo by Courtney)

ED-DIE!

ED-DIE!

ED-DIE! ED-DIE!

Other things of note:

-I don't remember the context but somehow during the game, it came up that Courtney was a Dave Matthews fan. It might have been while I was making fun of the band while talking about the cover band I had seen after a game earlier in the summer in Jacksonville. Doug said something (in jest) to Courtney to the effect of "Show me your DMB tattoo." Sure enough, the tattoo was shown and Doug was flabbergasted. It is a serious tattoo for a serious fan.

- The Royals took a 4-0 lead after 3 innings and a 6-0 lead after 6. I waited over three hours for that nonsense! At midnight with the Birds down by 6 and a 3.5 hour drive ahead of me, I headed back to the car.

- Alex Gordon hit 2 homers, Billy Butler hit one, and Chris Tillman got drilled. It was Butler's 24th home run - the most by a Royal since Carlos Beltran hit 26 in 2003. Yikes.

- This was Manny Machado's 3rd big league game. After starring in his 1st 2 games (2 home runs and a triple), he represented well - 1 for 4 with an RBI double.

- Doug and I spent way too much time discussing the merits of Top 40 radio circa 1984 vs Top 40 radio circa 1986. The answer is obvious folks. Think about it.

- We all professed our love for Lenn Sakata. That pretty much happens every Orioles game I go to though.

- Since it was a Royals vs. Orioles game AND it was my first Orioles game since my dad's death, I was in a mood to reminisce about my first ever game. I remembered that it was against the Royals and that Willie Wilson and another outfielder collided with each other while tracking a flyball. The year was 1979. I also remember getting stung by a bee and learning what a bullpen was. What I didn't know was that the date was August 17th or that Jim Palmer got spanked. It is amazing what a little digging on the internet can turn up.

During the game, there was much discussion about what household uses the Eddie statue would be good for. An incense holder perhaps? Julie found something better.

(photo by Julie)

Upon arriving back in Brooklyn, Sam wasn't sure what to do with them. But he already began plotting to see the real statue one day.

Royals: 49-64
Orioles: 61-53

Posted: 1/14/13