I decided to take in another Phillies game, as they were inching closer to their second straight playoff appearance, and sitting in 1st place. This would probably be as close as it gets for me to be in a playoff-like setting.
The Phillies took on the Atlanta Braves, with the season series dominated by the Phils. They took 2-0 lead, before the Braves came back to tie the score in the 6th. The highlight was in the top of the 8th, when the Braves tried to score the go-ahead run, but Kelly Johnson got gunned down at the plate. In the bottom 8th, the Phillies exploded for 4 runs, which included a Pat Burrell 3-run homer, and they would win the game 6-2. Even better news, the Mets lost to the Cubs.
I thought about going to another game, but declined and later regret it, as that game turned out to be the division-clinching game. I also considered going to a playoff game, but it was way too much money, and I wanted to save money for future travel, baseball-related and more.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
September 9, 2008 (Philadelphia)
Dollar dog night between the Phillies and Marlins. By then, the Marlins are pretty much out of the race, the division was between the Phils and Mets.
I got there early, and was only able to eat 5 hot dogs, since I was "forced" to drink the rest of my water bottle, which was not allowed in the ballpark if already opened.
It would not be a good night for Kyle Kendrick and the Phillies, as the Fish would pound him for 7 runs, and would lead 9-1 after 4. The Phillies would slowly chip away, but would fall short, as the Marlins would win 10-8.
During the game, a lot of scoreboard watching, as the Mets game was also high scoring. The Mets would end up winning the game, so the Phils' chances is not looking good.
I thought this would be the last game of the season for me, and it has been a fun season overall. I visited 7 different ballparks outside of Philly, and would go to multiple Phillies games for the first time since 1996. My love for baseball is back, and it really helps that the local team is winning.
I got there early, and was only able to eat 5 hot dogs, since I was "forced" to drink the rest of my water bottle, which was not allowed in the ballpark if already opened.
It would not be a good night for Kyle Kendrick and the Phillies, as the Fish would pound him for 7 runs, and would lead 9-1 after 4. The Phillies would slowly chip away, but would fall short, as the Marlins would win 10-8.
During the game, a lot of scoreboard watching, as the Mets game was also high scoring. The Mets would end up winning the game, so the Phils' chances is not looking good.
I thought this would be the last game of the season for me, and it has been a fun season overall. I visited 7 different ballparks outside of Philly, and would go to multiple Phillies games for the first time since 1996. My love for baseball is back, and it really helps that the local team is winning.
Monday, October 20, 2008
August 30, 2008 (Miami)
I decided to take in a second game, since I had nothing else planned that day, and there were postgame fireworks. So I would drive up from South Beach, and would eat dinner outside the stadium, since it's cheaper.
I bought a ticket to the game, which was surprisiliy overpriced, considering the Marlins have a difficult time attracting fans to the games. I would sit around the same area, near the Marlins bullpen, and yes... near those annoying and rude Mets fans.
I did get very annoyed when some guys stood in the aisle and would watch the game there, blocking my view. That was when both benches cleared, but no fight, so not really a brawl. I actually prefer seeing this over a hockey fight, for some strange reason.
I forgot to mention before, there is some nice entertainment with the cheerleaders, known as the Marlin Mermaids, and these fat guys known as the Manatees, which I thought are really funny.
The Marlins and Mets faced off in the second of a 3-game series. The Mets started things off with a David Wright home run in the 1st inning, and jumped to a 3-0 lead after 3. The Fish slowly chipped away, on a bases loaded hit by Dan Uggla, and tied with a Mike Jacobs solo shot. Going into the bottom of the 9th with the game tied 3-3, the Marlins loaded up the bases with walks (2 of them intentional), but that backfired, because the next hitter knocked in the winning run by... yep you guessed it... a walk. The Marlins win 4-3.
After the game, there were fireworks, set to Latin music, which was interesting. Then a concert featuring a pop artist that I was not familiar with. And earlier, the Phillies won, so this turned out to be a good day after all.
And the only time I won't be annoyed with "Let's Go Mets" is at Shea Stadium (and in the future, Citi Field), since it is the Mets' place.
As for Dolphin Stadium, the constant reminders of this being a football stadium, makes this one of the worst.
I bought a ticket to the game, which was surprisiliy overpriced, considering the Marlins have a difficult time attracting fans to the games. I would sit around the same area, near the Marlins bullpen, and yes... near those annoying and rude Mets fans.
I did get very annoyed when some guys stood in the aisle and would watch the game there, blocking my view. That was when both benches cleared, but no fight, so not really a brawl. I actually prefer seeing this over a hockey fight, for some strange reason.
I forgot to mention before, there is some nice entertainment with the cheerleaders, known as the Marlin Mermaids, and these fat guys known as the Manatees, which I thought are really funny.
The Marlins and Mets faced off in the second of a 3-game series. The Mets started things off with a David Wright home run in the 1st inning, and jumped to a 3-0 lead after 3. The Fish slowly chipped away, on a bases loaded hit by Dan Uggla, and tied with a Mike Jacobs solo shot. Going into the bottom of the 9th with the game tied 3-3, the Marlins loaded up the bases with walks (2 of them intentional), but that backfired, because the next hitter knocked in the winning run by... yep you guessed it... a walk. The Marlins win 4-3.
After the game, there were fireworks, set to Latin music, which was interesting. Then a concert featuring a pop artist that I was not familiar with. And earlier, the Phillies won, so this turned out to be a good day after all.
And the only time I won't be annoyed with "Let's Go Mets" is at Shea Stadium (and in the future, Citi Field), since it is the Mets' place.
As for Dolphin Stadium, the constant reminders of this being a football stadium, makes this one of the worst.
Monday, October 13, 2008
August 29, 2008 (Miami)
I take a Labor Day weekend trip to South Florida, mainly to visit Dolphin Stadium, which is a football stadium only, for so many reasons. For starters, the name itself, after the football team.
Some issues with this place. It was quite a drive to the stadium, as this would be the first time that I would drive to a baseball game. It is located in a residential neighborhood, and there just doesn't seem to be any public tranportation to the stadium. Also, the humidity is very oppressive, as I came here during the Florida summer. The breeze does not provide much relief, but at least it's not too hot.
I arrive at the stadium, and the first thing I see is some people tailgating, an activity that I associate with football. Once inside the stadium, there are names of great Miami Dolphins around the place, and the place is so orange. Plus the football field was not covered up very well, as I could still see the yard lines and numbers of it. And a lot of empty seats.
I would see the Florida Marlins take on the New York Mets, in a key NL East battle. I decided to root for the Marlins, since I see the Mets as more of a threat in the division. Even more so, since the Phillies lost earlier. I would get to see Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat throw the first pitch.
A lot of Mets fans at the game, probably almost as much as Marlins fans. I guess most of them are transplants, but there are always those who travel with the team. As it turned out, these Mets fans are not exactly friendly, and just gave me the cold shoulder. I would have to endure "Let's Go Mets" chant, but the Marlins fans countered with "Go Home Mets".
I did sit next to some female Marlins fans, who were very friendly. They are big sports fans, rooting for all the local teams. We talked for a bit, before the game started.
The Marlins would have a 2-1 lead going into the 9th inning, until Carlos Beltran hit a grand slam off Kevin Gregg, giving the Mets a 5-2 lead. The Fish would score 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th, but fall short, as the Mets win 5-4. First time I would see the home team lose outside of Philly.
Not a good day, with the Mets winning, and the Phils losing. The Mets would increase their lead in the division. And here's hoping the Marlins get a new stadium.
Some issues with this place. It was quite a drive to the stadium, as this would be the first time that I would drive to a baseball game. It is located in a residential neighborhood, and there just doesn't seem to be any public tranportation to the stadium. Also, the humidity is very oppressive, as I came here during the Florida summer. The breeze does not provide much relief, but at least it's not too hot.
I arrive at the stadium, and the first thing I see is some people tailgating, an activity that I associate with football. Once inside the stadium, there are names of great Miami Dolphins around the place, and the place is so orange. Plus the football field was not covered up very well, as I could still see the yard lines and numbers of it. And a lot of empty seats.
I would see the Florida Marlins take on the New York Mets, in a key NL East battle. I decided to root for the Marlins, since I see the Mets as more of a threat in the division. Even more so, since the Phillies lost earlier. I would get to see Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat throw the first pitch.
A lot of Mets fans at the game, probably almost as much as Marlins fans. I guess most of them are transplants, but there are always those who travel with the team. As it turned out, these Mets fans are not exactly friendly, and just gave me the cold shoulder. I would have to endure "Let's Go Mets" chant, but the Marlins fans countered with "Go Home Mets".
I did sit next to some female Marlins fans, who were very friendly. They are big sports fans, rooting for all the local teams. We talked for a bit, before the game started.
The Marlins would have a 2-1 lead going into the 9th inning, until Carlos Beltran hit a grand slam off Kevin Gregg, giving the Mets a 5-2 lead. The Fish would score 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th, but fall short, as the Mets win 5-4. First time I would see the home team lose outside of Philly.
Not a good day, with the Mets winning, and the Phils losing. The Mets would increase their lead in the division. And here's hoping the Marlins get a new stadium.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
August 7, 2008 (New York)
Taking the day off work, I took a trip to New York to see Shea Stadium, also in its final season.
Shea Stadium was the place where I would watch my first baseball game on TV in 1989, and being from a NL city, I often associated New York with the Mets more than the Yankees, until interleague play came around.
I arrive at Shea Stadium, deciding to ride LIRR instead of the 7 train, hoping to get enough time to tour around the stadium before game time. It seems to be in the middle of nowhere, as there just doesn't seem to be much around the place.
This place is pretty colorful, for a cookie-cutter stadium, one of the last in the majors. The Mets new home, Citi Field, can be seen. The Home Run Apple pops up whenever the Mets hit a home run, and I would see it happen 1 time. There are banners of great Mets players throughout the concourse, but this place reminded me very much of Veterans Stadium.
It was Sesame Street Day at Shea Stadium, and a lot of kids were at the game. I sat the upper deck among them, and at times, they would obstruct my view, as it's obivous they were not interested in the game. There was Ernie, but no Bert, waving to the kids, as he came out of the Mets dugout.
In the middle of the game, I would move to the mezzanine section, to meet up with a travel buddy, Jeremy, who was also on a baseball quest to see all 30. Unfortunately, he sat in a horrible section, where the overhang would obstruct our view of the field. It would be hard for us to see where the ball was hit, and any to the left field would be impossible to see. It was actually better in the upper deck. But it was great to meet with another person, who also has the same goal, so not a total loss.
The New York Mets played the San Diego Padres, and Johan Santana was the Mets starter. He pitched a great game, getting 7 strikeouts before running into trouble in the 8th inning. The Mets were leading 3-1 at the time. Santana was taken out, and the bullpen could not hold the lead, as the Padres came back to tie the game in the 9th inning.
I never sat through an extra inning game, and it wasn't about to start on this day, as David Wright hit a walkoff 2-run homer, and the Mets win the game, 5-3. The Phillies played also played a day game against the Marlins, and the Phils lost. Not a good day for this Phillies fan.
After the game, I took the 7 train back to Penn Station, then returned to Philly.
Shea Stadium was the place where I would watch my first baseball game on TV in 1989, and being from a NL city, I often associated New York with the Mets more than the Yankees, until interleague play came around.
I arrive at Shea Stadium, deciding to ride LIRR instead of the 7 train, hoping to get enough time to tour around the stadium before game time. It seems to be in the middle of nowhere, as there just doesn't seem to be much around the place.
This place is pretty colorful, for a cookie-cutter stadium, one of the last in the majors. The Mets new home, Citi Field, can be seen. The Home Run Apple pops up whenever the Mets hit a home run, and I would see it happen 1 time. There are banners of great Mets players throughout the concourse, but this place reminded me very much of Veterans Stadium.
It was Sesame Street Day at Shea Stadium, and a lot of kids were at the game. I sat the upper deck among them, and at times, they would obstruct my view, as it's obivous they were not interested in the game. There was Ernie, but no Bert, waving to the kids, as he came out of the Mets dugout.
In the middle of the game, I would move to the mezzanine section, to meet up with a travel buddy, Jeremy, who was also on a baseball quest to see all 30. Unfortunately, he sat in a horrible section, where the overhang would obstruct our view of the field. It would be hard for us to see where the ball was hit, and any to the left field would be impossible to see. It was actually better in the upper deck. But it was great to meet with another person, who also has the same goal, so not a total loss.
The New York Mets played the San Diego Padres, and Johan Santana was the Mets starter. He pitched a great game, getting 7 strikeouts before running into trouble in the 8th inning. The Mets were leading 3-1 at the time. Santana was taken out, and the bullpen could not hold the lead, as the Padres came back to tie the game in the 9th inning.
I never sat through an extra inning game, and it wasn't about to start on this day, as David Wright hit a walkoff 2-run homer, and the Mets win the game, 5-3. The Phillies played also played a day game against the Marlins, and the Phils lost. Not a good day for this Phillies fan.
After the game, I took the 7 train back to Penn Station, then returned to Philly.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
August 5, 2008 (Philadelphia)
A key battle for the NL East, between the Philadelphia Phillies and Florida Marlins. And the New York Mets are not far behind. I would be watching all 3 of those NL East teams this week.
Jaime Moyer was previously unbeaten against the Fish, that would change quickly, as the Phils had a hard time mustering any offense against Josh Johnson. The only runs they would get, is on a controversial 2-run homer by Shane Victorino, but it would not matter. The Marlins came away with a 8-2 win, and inched closer to first place.
Not much to cheer about in this game.
Jaime Moyer was previously unbeaten against the Fish, that would change quickly, as the Phils had a hard time mustering any offense against Josh Johnson. The only runs they would get, is on a controversial 2-run homer by Shane Victorino, but it would not matter. The Marlins came away with a 8-2 win, and inched closer to first place.
Not much to cheer about in this game.
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