I finally finished the first draft of my baseball novel, last night at 11:30. I would have done a Happy Diva Dance, but I was too tired and my legs hurt from sitting at the computer for hours at a time several days in a row for several weeks in a row.
I'm happy that it's done. Now maybe I can do something anything else with my weekends. At least for a week or two. Then I'll need to get started on the revisions of which there will be many.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Soon, soon
We're another step closer to the Season; I set up the fantasy league yesterday. Eight people so far are on board. I probably should give them more than 24 hours to login before I start dunning them.
Keepers: David Wright, Dontrelle Willis, David Ortiz. I'll have to see if I have any other "D" guys, go with a theme this year. Other than how quickly I can drop to the bottom of the standings.
I've already watched Fever Pitch three times in the past week.
And last night I was watching SNY reporting from Legends Field, the he said-he said faldolral about Pay-Rod and Deter. I'm loving it 'cause it's taking me back to the good old days of the Bronx Zoo, when the Yankees had the best soap opera around.
Keepers: David Wright, Dontrelle Willis, David Ortiz. I'll have to see if I have any other "D" guys, go with a theme this year. Other than how quickly I can drop to the bottom of the standings.
I've already watched Fever Pitch three times in the past week.
And last night I was watching SNY reporting from Legends Field, the he said-he said faldolral about Pay-Rod and Deter. I'm loving it 'cause it's taking me back to the good old days of the Bronx Zoo, when the Yankees had the best soap opera around.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
There Be Baseball Players Here!
My office overlooks the gym and I've complained, a lot, about having to listen to the basketball teams and the volleyball team practice. After today, I can cut them a lot of slack.
The college's reborn baseball team, after a 20-or-so years' hiatus, is working out in the gym today.
How can they expect me to get any work done when there's baseball just outside my door?!
Diva Happy Dance Time
The college's reborn baseball team, after a 20-or-so years' hiatus, is working out in the gym today.
How can they expect me to get any work done when there's baseball just outside my door?!
Diva Happy Dance Time
Monday, January 22, 2007
Weather
We've had an extremely mild winter so far here in Central New York. (I say Central rather than Upstate because too many people think of Yonkers or Orange County as Upstate, and trust me, to people north of the Pennsylvania state line, that's still Downstate).
It's been warm and virtually snowless, which I haven't minded at all. I don't mind not having to scrap ice from the car every morning. I don't mind not having to clear snow from the car and steps every day. I don't mind not having to wear boots and gloves and scarves and hats every day.
But last week winter finally showed up. We got some snow, though the wind causing drifts and whiteouts is more of a hazard than the snow itself, and the temperature has been checking in at a crispy 0-to-10F above, and I hate cold more than I do snow so I've been grumbling.
But the sudden appearance of winter has been important because it's only now, that it's cold and blowy and snowy that I miss baseball and have a reborn eagerness for the pre-season to start.
Some vegetation needs to have that cold snap to start certain biological processes and without it the plants fail to thrive.
I needed winter to long for baseball.
24 more days before pitchers and catchers report.
It's been warm and virtually snowless, which I haven't minded at all. I don't mind not having to scrap ice from the car every morning. I don't mind not having to clear snow from the car and steps every day. I don't mind not having to wear boots and gloves and scarves and hats every day.
But last week winter finally showed up. We got some snow, though the wind causing drifts and whiteouts is more of a hazard than the snow itself, and the temperature has been checking in at a crispy 0-to-10F above, and I hate cold more than I do snow so I've been grumbling.
But the sudden appearance of winter has been important because it's only now, that it's cold and blowy and snowy that I miss baseball and have a reborn eagerness for the pre-season to start.
Some vegetation needs to have that cold snap to start certain biological processes and without it the plants fail to thrive.
I needed winter to long for baseball.
24 more days before pitchers and catchers report.
Weird Gifts
People give me baseball-related gifts. Some of them are weird.
The weirdest, this year, is a large snail shell painted to resemble a baseball.
Weird, but cute.
Hot Stove
Baseball Heavy has an interesting entry about the Paw Sox' Hot Stove event. Locally the events are more likely to be a dinner at a banquet hall or hotel dining room with a guest or two from the organization. Something like BH describes I might find worth attending.
Fantasy League
It's time to get the Fantasy League in shape. It's nearly Super Bowl Sunday, the Mardi Gras of Baseball Season, and I haven't gotten the keepers up on the league web page. Meanwhile, I'm being recruited for another, local league. So far I'm holding out if for no other reason than I'm hardly keeping up with one league. Last year I don't think I saw a single episode of Baseball Tonight, my former evening devotions, and since I'm working on my baseball novel, supposed to finish it, revise it, and revise it again by the All-Star break, it's going to be tough to keep my focus on just one league.
The weirdest, this year, is a large snail shell painted to resemble a baseball.
Weird, but cute.
Hot Stove
Baseball Heavy has an interesting entry about the Paw Sox' Hot Stove event. Locally the events are more likely to be a dinner at a banquet hall or hotel dining room with a guest or two from the organization. Something like BH describes I might find worth attending.
Fantasy League
It's time to get the Fantasy League in shape. It's nearly Super Bowl Sunday, the Mardi Gras of Baseball Season, and I haven't gotten the keepers up on the league web page. Meanwhile, I'm being recruited for another, local league. So far I'm holding out if for no other reason than I'm hardly keeping up with one league. Last year I don't think I saw a single episode of Baseball Tonight, my former evening devotions, and since I'm working on my baseball novel, supposed to finish it, revise it, and revise it again by the All-Star break, it's going to be tough to keep my focus on just one league.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Pin-ups for everyone!
Turns out Livianna was not upset in the least about me putting up my David Wright calendar rather than the Red Sox one she gave me.
She came into the department first thing Tuesday morning (we had MLK Day off) and I could see she was trying to hide something behind her back. Looked suspiciously like a calendar.
She took Grace and Mellow shopping Saturday and while riding up on the escalator one of the girls spotted a calendar at the Borders calendar outpost. It was a David Wright calendar. They insisted that I needed one so they circled back down and around to buy it.
We went into my office and I pointed to the calendar I already have, hanging above my desk where people aren't going to see it, as she hadn't seen it. Then we started looking for other places to hang this second collection of my "son's" pictures.
Some of the shots look like they were photo-shopped, just a uniform change, that's how consistent David is as a hitter, and as a fielder.
She came into the department first thing Tuesday morning (we had MLK Day off) and I could see she was trying to hide something behind her back. Looked suspiciously like a calendar.
She took Grace and Mellow shopping Saturday and while riding up on the escalator one of the girls spotted a calendar at the Borders calendar outpost. It was a David Wright calendar. They insisted that I needed one so they circled back down and around to buy it.
We went into my office and I pointed to the calendar I already have, hanging above my desk where people aren't going to see it, as she hadn't seen it. Then we started looking for other places to hang this second collection of my "son's" pictures.
Some of the shots look like they were photo-shopped, just a uniform change, that's how consistent David is as a hitter, and as a fielder.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Teach your children well
Mellow likes to make personal special occasions cards, so I wasn't surpised that she made one for my birthday.
On the front page is a green sock, labeled Red Sox, a baseball and the tip of a bat. Inside, the message says "Happy B-Day from Mellow. I have two teams...the Red Sox and whoever beets the Yankees."
Yup, she's been paying attention.
On the front page is a green sock, labeled Red Sox, a baseball and the tip of a bat. Inside, the message says "Happy B-Day from Mellow. I have two teams...the Red Sox and whoever beets the Yankees."
Yup, she's been paying attention.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Happy New Year
Well, if you follow the Gregorian calendar Christmas was just yesterday.
Speaking of Christmas, in 2004 I received almost nothing but Red Sox stuff for Christmas, some of it repeats of other gifts or things I had already bought for myself.
This year I reaped another Red Sox harvest for Christmas, but none of it was repeats, and some of it was stuff I didn't know existed.
Livianna got me the 2006 team card set and my 2007 calendar. A Red Sox calendar from her is pretty much a sure thing each year.
My godson TM got me Red Sox dominos and a Red Sox Rubik's cube. I don't dare take that out of the package because I've never solved one of those.
Last year's Red Sox calendar annoyed me all through December. The player pictured that month was Johnny Damon. So while I love the Red Sox calendar that Livianna got me, I also picked up, half-priced, a calendar of nothing but David Wright. She can hardly blame me for putting up a calendar featuring my "son".
Speaking of Christmas, in 2004 I received almost nothing but Red Sox stuff for Christmas, some of it repeats of other gifts or things I had already bought for myself.
This year I reaped another Red Sox harvest for Christmas, but none of it was repeats, and some of it was stuff I didn't know existed.
Livianna got me the 2006 team card set and my 2007 calendar. A Red Sox calendar from her is pretty much a sure thing each year.
My godson TM got me Red Sox dominos and a Red Sox Rubik's cube. I don't dare take that out of the package because I've never solved one of those.
Last year's Red Sox calendar annoyed me all through December. The player pictured that month was Johnny Damon. So while I love the Red Sox calendar that Livianna got me, I also picked up, half-priced, a calendar of nothing but David Wright. She can hardly blame me for putting up a calendar featuring my "son".
Monday, December 11, 2006
Bye-bye, Bill
Players come and go as do coaches and managers. It's the stadium people who stick around. You count on seeing the same people at the park from year to year. The guy who served me my first ballpark beer at old MacArthur Stadium was still at the stick last summer, though he's now a snowbird and doesn't return to CNY and the Sky(gak)Chiefs until June.
One of the things I've loved about the B-Mets is the fun atmosphere, and the person largely responsible for this is Bill Terlecky. Bill's been around baseball nearly 30 years, started with the Rochester Red Wings ages ago, has been various titles at various places, usually the GM, in affiliated and independent minor league ball including a stint in the Northern League, where the motto, the vision statement that guides all they do is, "Fun is good."
Bill has made baseball in Binghamton fun for a number of years now. But he's moving on, back to the Northern League, to become GM for the Gary SouthShore RailCats. While I wish him the best of luck in Indiana, I hope his brand of baseball and "fun is good" attitude stick around, hope Scott and Jim have been paying real close attention to how to make the ballpark experience great.
One of the things I've loved about the B-Mets is the fun atmosphere, and the person largely responsible for this is Bill Terlecky. Bill's been around baseball nearly 30 years, started with the Rochester Red Wings ages ago, has been various titles at various places, usually the GM, in affiliated and independent minor league ball including a stint in the Northern League, where the motto, the vision statement that guides all they do is, "Fun is good."
Bill has made baseball in Binghamton fun for a number of years now. But he's moving on, back to the Northern League, to become GM for the Gary SouthShore RailCats. While I wish him the best of luck in Indiana, I hope his brand of baseball and "fun is good" attitude stick around, hope Scott and Jim have been paying real close attention to how to make the ballpark experience great.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Let the Countdown Begin!
I like the movie Fever Pitch a lot, and not just because it's about the Red Sox and their glorious championship season. Though I'm not even close to all-out fanaticism of the Jimmy Fallon/Ben Wrightman character, there are many things about him I identify with, especially what he says when someone tells him there are other sports besides baseball: I would debate you, Ed, but that would only lead to me being dragged away in handcuffs.
My students today were talking about football in those yakky few minutes before class starts and while I thought of that quote, but thought better of saying that to them, and instead told them what about football matters to me: the Super Bowl, because that means spring training is only a couple weeks away.
When I stopped for coffee this Saturday, My Barista R told me pitchers and catchers aren't that far away. On Sunday, he said, "One day closer to pitchers and catchers."
My students today were talking about football in those yakky few minutes before class starts and while I thought of that quote, but thought better of saying that to them, and instead told them what about football matters to me: the Super Bowl, because that means spring training is only a couple weeks away.
When I stopped for coffee this Saturday, My Barista R told me pitchers and catchers aren't that far away. On Sunday, he said, "One day closer to pitchers and catchers."
Monday, October 16, 2006
Think Pink
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Everyone, men as well as women, should check their breasts for lumps routinely; if you don't know how to perform a self exam, the Susan G. Komen website will show you how.
October is also Fire Prevention/Fire Safety Awareness Month.
Stop, drop and roll, and get a mammogram.
Cory Lidle
When online friends first reported a plane crashing into a Manhattan skyscraper there were concerns about a possible terrorist attack. Learning that it was not an airliner, but rather a small private plane did not ease fears as such a crash with a plane carrying bio or chemical or nuclear weapons is high on the list of probable and highly-feared attacks for NYC. When the news came later that the small aircraft belonged to Cory Lidle, who was aboard when it crashed it struck a different personal note.
Cory Lidle pitched for the Binghamton Mets, a couple years before I started attending their games, but he's among the players who've been here and done well, a honorary member of My Guys since I never actually saw him play in Binghamton.
Many minor leaguers players were called on as replacement players during the MLB players' 1994-95 strike, young players who felt they would lose any chance of some day making it to the majors if they refused to report as required by the teams' owners. As the 10th anniversary of that lost season rolled around, I did a bit of research about these replacement players who were at the time described as nobodies and no talents, and found several who went on to substantial success later in their careers, probably a close comparison to any other season's group of low level minor leaguers' success rate. Among those replacement players was Cory Lidle.
Back when I first got interested in baseball and had access only to the Yankees and the Mets on TV, I followed the soap-operatic Yankees, the Bronx Zoo, and my favorite Yankee was Thurman Munson. The shock of his death in a private plane crash still gives me pause, and Cory Lidle's death makes that shock echo once more.
Cory Lidle pitched for the Binghamton Mets, a couple years before I started attending their games, but he's among the players who've been here and done well, a honorary member of My Guys since I never actually saw him play in Binghamton.
Many minor leaguers players were called on as replacement players during the MLB players' 1994-95 strike, young players who felt they would lose any chance of some day making it to the majors if they refused to report as required by the teams' owners. As the 10th anniversary of that lost season rolled around, I did a bit of research about these replacement players who were at the time described as nobodies and no talents, and found several who went on to substantial success later in their careers, probably a close comparison to any other season's group of low level minor leaguers' success rate. Among those replacement players was Cory Lidle.
Back when I first got interested in baseball and had access only to the Yankees and the Mets on TV, I followed the soap-operatic Yankees, the Bronx Zoo, and my favorite Yankee was Thurman Munson. The shock of his death in a private plane crash still gives me pause, and Cory Lidle's death makes that shock echo once more.
Me-Wow!
The Tigers might have slipped during the second half of the regular season, but it appears perhaps they were only resting up for the post-season. They lulled the Yankees into thinking they were the team of destiny by allowing them to win the first game of the Division series then mowed 'em down. No sense in tormenting the A's like a cornered mouse, just mowed 'em down in four straight.
He stunk up the joint, but I was happy to see my hometown guy Jason Grilli make a post-season appearance. (Next time, don't walk three straight on 12 pitches, 'kay?)
Looks like the National League series is headed for a full 7 games. If the Cardinals win, it will be a repeat of the first World Series match up I ever saw, back in 1968, and I will have no mixed loyalty in rooting for the Tigers. Should the Mets win (I stand by my earlier prediction of a Tigers-Mets Series), I'll be rooting for the Tigers as a team and the Mets as individual players.
Go Motor City Kitties!
He stunk up the joint, but I was happy to see my hometown guy Jason Grilli make a post-season appearance. (Next time, don't walk three straight on 12 pitches, 'kay?)
Looks like the National League series is headed for a full 7 games. If the Cardinals win, it will be a repeat of the first World Series match up I ever saw, back in 1968, and I will have no mixed loyalty in rooting for the Tigers. Should the Mets win (I stand by my earlier prediction of a Tigers-Mets Series), I'll be rooting for the Tigers as a team and the Mets as individual players.
Go Motor City Kitties!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Major-Minor Swaps
Minor league clubs sign player development agreements (PDA) with major league clubs for two or four years, four years when the association is a good one, two years when there might be problems.
New Orleans was affiliated with Montreal. Made sense if you think of their fan base being of French extraction, otherwise I haven't a clue how that association got started.
Columbus has been with the Yankees since Steinbrenner bought the Yanks; Columbus is his hometown. Makes sense.
Norfolk has been aligned with the Mets for ages. They were called the Tidewater Tides back in the 70's, changed the locale portion of the name when a new ballpark was built.
The trend of late is for a major league team to gather its various levels of farm teams in a region. Toronto left Medicine Hat, Bluefield WV, and other far flung paradises to consolidate its fan base as well as player pool in the northeast. Syracuse has been Toronto's AAA team since 1977 (they were with the Yankees until Steinbrener took over) and they've now got AA in New Hampshire, short-season A in Auburn, NY (just down the road from Syracuse), A in Lansing, MI.
Other teams are doing the same and the Phillies are the ones who got this round rolling.
The Phillies are moving their AAA team closer, leaving Scranton for Allentown and the new ballpark there. Their AA is in Reading. Their fan base will be huge and local.
The Mets wanted to locate their AAA club closer to NYC; they've been pulling guys up from Binghamton in many cases simply because they are physically closer. They thought they would get Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, which would be terrific in consolidating the fan base, capturing NE Pennsylvania together with the southern tier of NY, as well be bringing the AAA guys slightly closer.
Norfolk went with Washington. Location again, and since Montreal moved, it made sense that their AAA team might change.
The Yankees grabbed Scranton. Don't know if the Mets ever truly had a chance.
Syracuse made a huge blunder. The local paper has been raking the management and board of directors over the coals for many, many things they've done wrong and continue to do wrong. After making noises about not renewing the PDA with Toronto because of the dismal record the Chiefs have suffered through at their hands, they did not wait until the season was ended and other teams' affiliations were up for grabs. The Syracuse BofD renewed the PDA back in June at a meeting attended by only 13 of 25 members, less than the quorum required for such a decision.
My hope is that the Mets are preparing to unseat Toronto and take over Syracuse at the end of the 2008 season. Both parent teams have new 2-year PDAs in place. The Mets in Syracuse makes as much if not more sense than Scranton would have. The ballpark in Syracuse is fifteen minutes from the airport. The AA team is an hour-fifteen minute ride down the interstate. The area has no other prevailing National League allegiance; the fan base already exists, and putting the AAA team so close to the AA team would boost attendance at both parks as well as increase fan interest in the Mets at all levels.
New Orleans was affiliated with Montreal. Made sense if you think of their fan base being of French extraction, otherwise I haven't a clue how that association got started.
Columbus has been with the Yankees since Steinbrenner bought the Yanks; Columbus is his hometown. Makes sense.
Norfolk has been aligned with the Mets for ages. They were called the Tidewater Tides back in the 70's, changed the locale portion of the name when a new ballpark was built.
The trend of late is for a major league team to gather its various levels of farm teams in a region. Toronto left Medicine Hat, Bluefield WV, and other far flung paradises to consolidate its fan base as well as player pool in the northeast. Syracuse has been Toronto's AAA team since 1977 (they were with the Yankees until Steinbrener took over) and they've now got AA in New Hampshire, short-season A in Auburn, NY (just down the road from Syracuse), A in Lansing, MI.
Other teams are doing the same and the Phillies are the ones who got this round rolling.
The Phillies are moving their AAA team closer, leaving Scranton for Allentown and the new ballpark there. Their AA is in Reading. Their fan base will be huge and local.
The Mets wanted to locate their AAA club closer to NYC; they've been pulling guys up from Binghamton in many cases simply because they are physically closer. They thought they would get Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, which would be terrific in consolidating the fan base, capturing NE Pennsylvania together with the southern tier of NY, as well be bringing the AAA guys slightly closer.
Norfolk went with Washington. Location again, and since Montreal moved, it made sense that their AAA team might change.
The Yankees grabbed Scranton. Don't know if the Mets ever truly had a chance.
Syracuse made a huge blunder. The local paper has been raking the management and board of directors over the coals for many, many things they've done wrong and continue to do wrong. After making noises about not renewing the PDA with Toronto because of the dismal record the Chiefs have suffered through at their hands, they did not wait until the season was ended and other teams' affiliations were up for grabs. The Syracuse BofD renewed the PDA back in June at a meeting attended by only 13 of 25 members, less than the quorum required for such a decision.
My hope is that the Mets are preparing to unseat Toronto and take over Syracuse at the end of the 2008 season. Both parent teams have new 2-year PDAs in place. The Mets in Syracuse makes as much if not more sense than Scranton would have. The ballpark in Syracuse is fifteen minutes from the airport. The AA team is an hour-fifteen minute ride down the interstate. The area has no other prevailing National League allegiance; the fan base already exists, and putting the AAA team so close to the AA team would boost attendance at both parks as well as increase fan interest in the Mets at all levels.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Another Reason I'm Rooting for the Tigers
Richard C. worked at the same institution, though with a special program, so our professional paths didn't cross, but our avocational paths did.
Richard, ever smiling, ever cheerful, would pause to talk baseball with me in the hallways. We talked major leagues, minor leagues, collegiate, scholastic, whatever. He kept me posted about his son's team and kept after me to become an umpire for the girls' league.
He was a Tigers fan, the Tigers played in the first World Series game I ever saw, we shared an interest in the same team. I commiserated with him when they were doing poorly, I celebrated with him as they roared this summer.
Richard unexpectedly died this past week. One of my first thoughts on hearing the news was that he couldn't die now, not with the Tigers so close.
I was already planning to root for the Tigers in the Series this year, but it will be with a sense of bittersweet.
Richard, ever smiling, ever cheerful, would pause to talk baseball with me in the hallways. We talked major leagues, minor leagues, collegiate, scholastic, whatever. He kept me posted about his son's team and kept after me to become an umpire for the girls' league.
He was a Tigers fan, the Tigers played in the first World Series game I ever saw, we shared an interest in the same team. I commiserated with him when they were doing poorly, I celebrated with him as they roared this summer.
Richard unexpectedly died this past week. One of my first thoughts on hearing the news was that he couldn't die now, not with the Tigers so close.
I was already planning to root for the Tigers in the Series this year, but it will be with a sense of bittersweet.
Predictions Do Come True
By spring training this year, the Red Sox had divested themselves of half of the championship team. The replacements were adequate players, but not capable of accomplishing what the Idiots had done. The personality of the team was deflated as well.
I do believe in team chemistry; it can be the element that tips a team one way or the other. I'm not saying it's necessary, Mays knows it won't make winners out of also-rans, but it can be integral in some teams' make-up, such as the 2004 Red Sox. Even the prima donnas, the whiners, the so-called baseball diva, were part of the mix that worked.
The Evil Empire has too much influence on the Olde Towne Teame. Theo, under the direction of the owners I'm sure, was/is trying to recreate the team's image, change it from a fun-loving, get-dirty group to a dignified gentlemen. More than any other team, the Red Sox of 2004 resembled the Bronx Zoo of the late '70s, and recalled the Gas House Gang.
The break down of the front office, letting Theo go over creative differences, making deals he probably didn't like before bringing him back, contributed to the break down of the team. Remember, the post-Yawkey ownership of the Sox includes the same brain trust that slapped together a championship team in Miami then stripped it for salvage money.
They didn't have the hitting, they didn't have the pitching. Toronto has been poised to move up in the standing for a couple seasons (their AAA team is the one I read about every morning over my Cheerios).
I do believe in team chemistry; it can be the element that tips a team one way or the other. I'm not saying it's necessary, Mays knows it won't make winners out of also-rans, but it can be integral in some teams' make-up, such as the 2004 Red Sox. Even the prima donnas, the whiners, the so-called baseball diva, were part of the mix that worked.
The Evil Empire has too much influence on the Olde Towne Teame. Theo, under the direction of the owners I'm sure, was/is trying to recreate the team's image, change it from a fun-loving, get-dirty group to a dignified gentlemen. More than any other team, the Red Sox of 2004 resembled the Bronx Zoo of the late '70s, and recalled the Gas House Gang.
The break down of the front office, letting Theo go over creative differences, making deals he probably didn't like before bringing him back, contributed to the break down of the team. Remember, the post-Yawkey ownership of the Sox includes the same brain trust that slapped together a championship team in Miami then stripped it for salvage money.
They didn't have the hitting, they didn't have the pitching. Toronto has been poised to move up in the standing for a couple seasons (their AAA team is the one I read about every morning over my Cheerios).
Friday, September 08, 2006
What happened to this summer?
I knew, going into the season, that I was going to attend fewer B-Mets games than usual, but I have at least 8 unused tickets still in the envelope. Not only was the price of gas an issue, but there were health-related, work, and school issues, not to mention cold, wet, and windy evenings. Yeah, they called me a wimp in the box, but I've been feely creaky this year.
Most of the games I attended, I was with Livianna and her daughters, sitting in the front row (and tracking the thread hanging from John Valentin's inseam) which made this season different. I really enjoyed games in their company, but it meant I wasn't spending time with "my summer family" so it seemed odd.
There were a few high points worth mentioning. All the way back to the All-Star Game, or rather the Home Run Derby. Everyone was ignoring David Wright before the derby began, except the one commentator who said he wouldn't do anything. David did just fine, making it to the final round.
Livianna and I were guests at a skybox in Syracuse and while we had a great view of the pitches, being right above and behind the plate, neither of us liked the location. Too many distractions, too far from the game.
Chase Lambin was back in town, as were a few other guys from the AAA club. Looked like the Big Club was trying to help the B-Mets in their run for the pennant. My Guys clawed their way from last in their division to first in July, but couldn't quite hold on. By the last home game, they had not been eliminated mathematically, but there was a sense that they were not going to win their last four which they would have needed to do to be in the play-offs.
(Sorry, Chase, I never did get a chance to make your oatmeal cranberry cookies.)
As for the majors, I'm predicting a Tigers-Mets Series. My Barista R still thinks the Red Sox can back into the playoffs. Not likely.
Wednesday evening I happened to flip through the channels and come across the ninth inning of Anibel Sanchez's no-hitter. A no-hitter is exciting no matter who throws it, but just last year I was watching this guy, in single-A at the time, pitching well against major leaguers and saw that he had great potential. I'm less adept at picking who among minor league pitchers will make the grade, but this kid obviously had it, has it.
Most of the games I attended, I was with Livianna and her daughters, sitting in the front row (and tracking the thread hanging from John Valentin's inseam) which made this season different. I really enjoyed games in their company, but it meant I wasn't spending time with "my summer family" so it seemed odd.
There were a few high points worth mentioning. All the way back to the All-Star Game, or rather the Home Run Derby. Everyone was ignoring David Wright before the derby began, except the one commentator who said he wouldn't do anything. David did just fine, making it to the final round.
Livianna and I were guests at a skybox in Syracuse and while we had a great view of the pitches, being right above and behind the plate, neither of us liked the location. Too many distractions, too far from the game.
Chase Lambin was back in town, as were a few other guys from the AAA club. Looked like the Big Club was trying to help the B-Mets in their run for the pennant. My Guys clawed their way from last in their division to first in July, but couldn't quite hold on. By the last home game, they had not been eliminated mathematically, but there was a sense that they were not going to win their last four which they would have needed to do to be in the play-offs.
(Sorry, Chase, I never did get a chance to make your oatmeal cranberry cookies.)
As for the majors, I'm predicting a Tigers-Mets Series. My Barista R still thinks the Red Sox can back into the playoffs. Not likely.
Wednesday evening I happened to flip through the channels and come across the ninth inning of Anibel Sanchez's no-hitter. A no-hitter is exciting no matter who throws it, but just last year I was watching this guy, in single-A at the time, pitching well against major leaguers and saw that he had great potential. I'm less adept at picking who among minor league pitchers will make the grade, but this kid obviously had it, has it.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Welcome Return
Finally! Back at the ballpark, and it was a GREAT weekend.
They were promoting this as the "Subway Series North", the B-Mets and the Trenton Thunder playing in their parent teams' uni's. Given the numbers on the Thunders' jerseys, they must have been wearing Yankees spring training jerseys. It was cool to see those classy road grays (even if they are Yankees) and the gorgeous electric blue of the NY Mets'.
Saturday, it was 91 degrees at game time, and it dropped all the way down to 83 by the ninth inning. It was a good game, a welcome change from how they've been playing. P told me they haven't seen a home run in weeks, probably since I was last there, and Jay Caligiuri and Michel Abreu each sent one out. Tim McNab, denizen of the bullpen, made a very respectable spot start, giving up only one run on five hits over five innings. There was some good defense as well, even a nifty 1-5-3 doubleplay (for my non-baseball literate reader, that's pitcher to third baseman to first baseman, not a common combination). I've been in the habit of skipping out as soon as they turn off the lights on fireworks nights, jaded and wanting to beat the traffic, but I stayed for the show Saturday and was rewarded with a great show including new displays.
Sunday was hot, hot, hot, not too humid, with just the right amount of breeze. I downed three beers and a Mike's hard lemonade for hydration and never felt the slightest effect of alcohol; it was sweated out as fast as I took it in. The game was expected to be a pitcher's duel, Philip Hughes and Willie Collazo both high-ranking prospects for their respective franchises; neither starter got a decision. Hughes, 19 years old, gave up only two runs on six hits over seven innings. Collazo gave up two as well over seven innings on one fewer hits. Hughes struck out 11, Collazo 6.
The crowds for the three days of the weekend ranked as third highest in the team's 15 year history. Saturday was sold out, standing room only available, Sunday was nearly sold out as well.
It would have been a perfect return to the ballpark, but from one thing. The spiedie stand was out of Nine Man Ale. Saturday I had to settle for a draft Yuengling, Sunday was better, Anchor porter.
They were promoting this as the "Subway Series North", the B-Mets and the Trenton Thunder playing in their parent teams' uni's. Given the numbers on the Thunders' jerseys, they must have been wearing Yankees spring training jerseys. It was cool to see those classy road grays (even if they are Yankees) and the gorgeous electric blue of the NY Mets'.
Saturday, it was 91 degrees at game time, and it dropped all the way down to 83 by the ninth inning. It was a good game, a welcome change from how they've been playing. P told me they haven't seen a home run in weeks, probably since I was last there, and Jay Caligiuri and Michel Abreu each sent one out. Tim McNab, denizen of the bullpen, made a very respectable spot start, giving up only one run on five hits over five innings. There was some good defense as well, even a nifty 1-5-3 doubleplay (for my non-baseball literate reader, that's pitcher to third baseman to first baseman, not a common combination). I've been in the habit of skipping out as soon as they turn off the lights on fireworks nights, jaded and wanting to beat the traffic, but I stayed for the show Saturday and was rewarded with a great show including new displays.
Sunday was hot, hot, hot, not too humid, with just the right amount of breeze. I downed three beers and a Mike's hard lemonade for hydration and never felt the slightest effect of alcohol; it was sweated out as fast as I took it in. The game was expected to be a pitcher's duel, Philip Hughes and Willie Collazo both high-ranking prospects for their respective franchises; neither starter got a decision. Hughes, 19 years old, gave up only two runs on six hits over seven innings. Collazo gave up two as well over seven innings on one fewer hits. Hughes struck out 11, Collazo 6.
The crowds for the three days of the weekend ranked as third highest in the team's 15 year history. Saturday was sold out, standing room only available, Sunday was nearly sold out as well.
It would have been a perfect return to the ballpark, but from one thing. The spiedie stand was out of Nine Man Ale. Saturday I had to settle for a draft Yuengling, Sunday was better, Anchor porter.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Symposium Time
The 18th annual Cooperstown Symposium, my seventh, was jam packed with great topics. Usually there's at least one concurrent session in which none of the three offerings are of interest and that's when I make my cruise up and down Main Street to check out the stores, but this year not a one. Every concurrent session had at least one presentation I really wanted to hear, usually two so I had to make a decision one which to attend. Felt like a coin toss was gonna be necessary some times.
The focus was on race, with the keynote being offered by a Negro Leagues scholar and two former Negro Leagues players, both charming older gentlemen, and a special exhibit in the Barry Halper Gallery at the Hall of art commissioned by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to celebrate and interpret the sport. Powerful works included in that show, which has been touring the country. (If you know of a venue that might be well served by the exhibit, have them contact the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City .
The Town Ball game was called on account of rain and the picnic was held under a tent in the middle of a muddy pasture. Casey, of course, was there to recite his tale of woe
and we all sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." I was delighted that this year the alternate version of Casey was Garrison Keillor's version, as seen by Mudville's opponents.
There were a lot of new faces at the Symposium this year, record registrations were received. It's always a pleasure to see people from past gatherings, but it's great to get new blood and new enthusiasm into the mix.
The focus was on race, with the keynote being offered by a Negro Leagues scholar and two former Negro Leagues players, both charming older gentlemen, and a special exhibit in the Barry Halper Gallery at the Hall of art commissioned by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to celebrate and interpret the sport. Powerful works included in that show, which has been touring the country. (If you know of a venue that might be well served by the exhibit, have them contact the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City .
The Town Ball game was called on account of rain and the picnic was held under a tent in the middle of a muddy pasture. Casey, of course, was there to recite his tale of woe
and we all sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." I was delighted that this year the alternate version of Casey was Garrison Keillor's version, as seen by Mudville's opponents.There were a lot of new faces at the Symposium this year, record registrations were received. It's always a pleasure to see people from past gatherings, but it's great to get new blood and new enthusiasm into the mix.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Rain, rain
Every other weekend here has been warm and sunny, just beautiful. The alternate weekends are cold and wet and windy. So which weekends do the Mets play at home? The wet ones, of course.
Let's see, I went to opening day in Binghamton, not the best weather but it's a not-to-be-missed game. Two games that weekend. One mid-week day game in Syracuse. Another mid-week game, night game, with Liviana and the girls at Binghamton. That's five in April. One weekend day game in early May. Six.
Here it is, June already a weekend gone, and I've been to a grand total of 6 games this season. I usually go to 6 games in April alone.
Today, naturally, it's sunny, warm, and just plain beautiful out.
Grrrrrr
Let's see, I went to opening day in Binghamton, not the best weather but it's a not-to-be-missed game. Two games that weekend. One mid-week day game in Syracuse. Another mid-week game, night game, with Liviana and the girls at Binghamton. That's five in April. One weekend day game in early May. Six.
Here it is, June already a weekend gone, and I've been to a grand total of 6 games this season. I usually go to 6 games in April alone.
Today, naturally, it's sunny, warm, and just plain beautiful out.
Grrrrrr
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