42 Games and Adventures

A Cold Night in Philadelphia

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They said it would be warmer. I was thinking early 60's, a lovely spring night. Then I heard it was going to be windy. So, there I was with four layers sitting in low 50's weather with the wind blowing. It felt like the temperature was in the 30's. At least that was my impression. I'm just recovering from a bad cold that my doctor told me on Friday might be "pneumonia." A cold night in Philadelphia, indeed, but I had to observe Jackie Robinson Day in a ballpark. These are my impressions of the rather short night. Jackie Robinson Day Remember, I planned to go south in the early part of the season and avoid the cold northeast. I slightly amended my plan because of the Jackie Robinson Remembrance. Los Angeles would have been a better choice. Jackie was a Dodger, and it would be warm in L.A. However, I tied my L.A. trip to the series in Mexico so I couldn't go in mid-April as well. Philadelphia seemed easy - I could drive. The Mets were playing the Phillies, why not go? Highlights Before The Game I needed to remember and celebrate Jackie Robinson in a ballpark, finally. My last post “My Father and Jackie Robinson's First Game” should have made it clear how special I think Jackie is. I had to see everyone wearing the same number 42. And I had to join the baseball community and pay my respects. I didn't drive. I wanted something easier. So, instead, I used some points to fly to Baltimore and drive up to Philadelphia. Baltimore is much more affordable than Philly, and it’s an easy drive to and from. Moreover, I would offset the cost of my rental car by losing a night in a hotel. I was so happy I made that choice. Driving six hours from Rochester to Philadelphia while recovering from pneumonia would not have worked well at all. The Scoreboard Tells The Story It's a beautiful sight. Tonight, the out of town scoreboard that lists the probable pitchers by number only contains the number 42. Oddly, all except for Los Angeles which is showing a number 22. Obviously, a mistake, but I'm standing there saying "WTF Kershaw." Then the players appear wearing number 42 with no names on their backs. We are all equal, no? Honorable mention goes to Bryce Harper who wore UCLA (Jackie's alma mater) Bruins accessories. All in all, I was moved. Philadelphia Jackie Robinson and Ben Chapman via New York Times Philadelphia is an interesting place to celebrate Jackie's debut. After all, in 1947, Philadelphia was managed by the notorious Ben Chapman. Chapman's insulting taunts were awful, one of the few times Robinson reconsidered his no retaliation promise with Branch Rickey. When the Dodgers got to Philadelphia, Chapman was forced to make nice grudgingly. Sixty-nine years later the city apologized. Curt Floddvia Wikipedia Additionally, the Phillies and Philadelphia had a long history of poor relationships with the black community for a…

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Opening Day, The Tale of Two Cities, and The Great Hot Dog Debate

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On Thursday, many teams played their first game with 161 more to go. I visited the first stadium of 30 I will see this season. My story recounts the day – the glory of opening day, the National’s odd legacy “The Tale of Two Cities,” and my first installment in the “great hot dog debate”. Yes, I also had visions of the “Swinging Friar.” When designing my travel schedule, I originally didn’t consider going anywhere on Opening Day, but how could I not go? I couldn't say I did it all (baseball-wise) if I didn't go to Opening Day. Then I saw that my Metsies were playing the Nationals in Washington and I like Washington. Most importantly, I knew in November that the Mets opening against the Nationals likely meant a Scherzer vs. DeGrom encounter. That could not be missed! And long after I purchased my ticket I found out my pitching matchup hunch was right. Opening Day - Morning: 5:00 AM Rochester International Airport - TSA Pre Check Line I'm in the security line when I pass a priest (maybe a monk - but in Rochester? Do we have monks?). He's decked out in full regalia (no offense intended) in a full cassock, skull cap, big cross, and rosary beads. I'm only thinking about baseball. Thus, my first thought is: "He must be heading to a San Diego Padre's game dressed like their mascot the “Swinging Friar.” All I have is my Nats hat and my camera. What if he plans to go to all the stadiums dressed like the home team’s mascot? That's more than I'm doing.” 5:15 AM Rochester International Airport, Gate B1 I realize I'm going incognito, I’m a Mets fan in a Nationals cap. I bought the hat last year during a family outing to a Nats game and a weekend in DC. That was when I was trying the slow approach to "collect ballparks." Incognito At the gate I see the usual -- a few Yankee hats but no Mets gear. How do I explain if asked? "Going to Opening Day? Are you a Nats fan?" Do you think they will play the Yankees in the series?” “Actually no, I'm a Mets fan going to DC for the game. I'm wearing the cap because my goal is to get a selfie in the home team’s cap at every major league stadium. I have a blog, and I’m raising money for youth baseball.” 7:00 AM Delta Sky Club LaGuardia Terminal C I’m eating the standard hard-boiled eggs and bagel surrounded by business people and vacationers. The business people are talking on phones and pounding keys on their laptops. I used to do that - might do so again. Today I don't miss it and wonder how many of them want to join me at the ball game instead of doing business. 11:30 AM Outside Nationals Park I can't do it. My misgivings started when I saw all the fans at the L'Enfant Plaza metro station.…

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Spring Training – Heroes, Passion, and Surprises

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AP/Nathaniel Fein via Flickr

Monday Morning. I arrived home on Saturday, and now I am evaluating my first trip of many planned for this season. What did I learn this spring training? After all, in my last post, my feeling was that although there were some rough patches, I will go back to spring training again and again. I love the game and spring training is where it starts. I also learned about heroes, passion and possible surprises. Heroes - All Hail Ichiro! I could wax poetic - about the great Ichiro's accomplishments. He's only the third man to have more than 4,000 hits - yes 1,000 in Japan, but 4,000 is still a great achievement. Additionally, 3,080 hits in 17 years are awe-inspiring. Also, let's agree that basketball is the sport where we refer to players by their first name - Kobe, Lebron etc. It's not done in baseball, but Ichiro Suzuki is "Ichiro". Then, there is his defense and his arm - even on display the last week of his career. Lava via Flickr Question: now that we elect players to the Hall of Fame unanimously - see Mariano Rivera - how can anyone not vote for Ichiro? What I realized when I woke up early during spring training to watch Ichiro's last two games is that players revere the game's icons. Their admiration for the man that had played so long on two different continents, achieved so much and did so with dignity, was obvious: He realized the dreams that they all want to achieve. And when it was over, they showed their profound respect as the great warrior left the field for the last time. Keith Allison via Flickr Then there is the sight of Yusei Kikuchi crying as Ichiro left the field. Kikuchi was pitching in his first MLB game - at home in Japan - after playing in Japan. Ichiro led the way for guys like Kikuchi to play in America and Kikuchi idolizes Ichiro. Finally, Ichiro finished in Japan, in front of his adoring countrymen. Baseball seems to be very prone to these wonderful events. Wonderful, Ichiro Stat Do yourself a favor and follow Sarah Langs on Twitter - that alone almost makes Twitter worth it. Moreover, when great stats like the similarity between Ichiro's first and last game occur, relish the fact that the baseball gods are watching. I'm serious. Ichiro's first career MLB game (2001): Mariners beat A's, 5-4 Ichiro's final career MLB game (2019): Mariners beat A's, 5-4Sarah Langs - Tweet - March 21, 2019 Passion - Max Scherzer Max Scherzer Friday was our double-header day. In the late morning, we drove the 40 minutes or so to Tradition Field to watch the Metsies host the Cardinals. The Cardinals brought the "A" team and the Mets played the "B" team. Two position players (Carlos Gomez and Rajai Davis) were non-roster invitees and are no longer with the team. Another, (Travis d'Arnaud) will likely start the season on the injured list. Finally, all six pitchers…

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Spring Training – “For The Love Of The Game”

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Middle Innings The game falls into three distinct phases. In the first couple of innings, you are enjoying your new surroundings, savoring the first beer of the night and anticipating how the game will go. In contrast, the last few innings of a close game are tense, how will it end? The middle innings, like a novel, are where the story develops. The same is true for my spring training trip - the story developed in the middle games and was where I reaffirmed my "love of the game." Two key themes were the so called "road roster charade" and the rain. Yes dear friends, I learned that it actually rains in sunny Florida. Monday - Cardinals vs. Phillies - Where's Bryce? Unfortunately, and not terribly surprising, visiting teams in spring training don't bring the "A" team if they have to travel far. The league argues that there are rules against this travesty happening. After all, they don't want fans to pay a lot of money and have high expectations only to be disappointed, or do they? MLB's rules state that at least four players who either played MLB ball last year or have the chance to do so need to play at least three innings of a spring training game.. So what's wrong with this lineup? The Phillies "B" Team In comparison, this is the Phillies projected 2019 lineup per MLB.com the bolded ones appeared in Jupiter: 1) Cesar Hernandez, 2B 2) Jean Segura, SS 3) Bryce Harper, RF 4) Rhys Hoskins, 1B 5) J.T. Realmuto, C 6) Andrew McCutchen, LF 7) Odubel Herrera, CF 8) Maikel Franco, 3B Rotation and closer: 1) Aaron Nola, RHP 2) Jake Arrieta, RHP 3) Nick Pivetta, RHP 4) Zach Eflin, RHP 5) Vince Velasquez, RHP Closer: David Robertson, RHP, or Seranthony Dominguez, RH So, no Bryce, no Rhys, no J.T. And where's McCutchen and Segura? Clearly, the Phillies did not field a compelling team on Monday and the fans deserve better. Although the Phillies train in Clearwater on Florida's west coast and Jupiter is on the east coast, it's not that far away. Per Google Maps, the drive from Clearwater to Jupiter is 209 miles which equates to 3 hours 29 minutes travel time. I assume the busses are nice, it's not clear why the players are not expected to appear. Thursday - Is That The Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders? Similarly, George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa is only 194 miles from Roger Dean Stadium. It's only a 3 hour and 9-minute drive. Yet the team that appeared seemed to be more like the Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRaider, the Yankees AAA farm club than the mighty New York Yankees. Normally the minor league players in the major league spring training camp wear numbers 50 and above (Aaron Judge's #99 is an exception). However, Thursday's Yankees lineup featured 5 players with numbers higher than 50. Not The Real Yankees Moreover, no one in the starting lineup was a member of the Baseball Prospectus top ten prospects…

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Spring Training – “Beware of Darkness”

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Saturday morning was cloudy - and the clouds never really went away. Not an auspicious start to Spring Training in normally sunny Florida. We found the Beatles station on Sirius as we made the short drive from the West Palm to Jupiter. Along the way, we compared notes about our favorite albums -- we both like their middle period starting with Revolver. However, I lose a little interest around Sgt. Pepper, not enough guitar - too much orchestration. Then the subject turned to George Harrison, All Things Must Pass and one of my favorites - “Beware of Darkness”: Watch out now, take careBeware of falling swingersDropping all around youThe pain that often minglesIn your fingertipsBeware of darknessWatch out now, take careBeware of the thoughts that lingerWinding up inside your headThe hopelessness around youIn the dead of nightBeware of sadnessIt can hit youIt can hurt youMake you sore and what is moreThat is not what you are here forGeorge Harrison It occurred to me that the long winter was over and was time to look ahead. What started with the indifference displayed as the powers that be laid me off -- the bleakness and dread that followed was over. It's now spring, the season of baseball's resurrection. “Beware of Darkness” indeed! Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium Home for the week is Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium - a nice little ballpark in Abacoa - a seemingly manufactured town in the middle of Jupiter. Yes, I am a Mets fan, but as I mentioned in a previous post, Jupiter works for us. We’ll see the Mets play three times this week along with the Cardinals, Marlins, Nats, Phillies and Yankees. Roger Dean "Chevrolet" Stadium Roger Dean Stadium was built in 1998, for $28M which equates to $43M in today’s dollars. It is one of only two stadiums in Florida to host two major league teams - the other is FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches which opened in 2017. Since the two stadiums are only roughly 20 minutes apart, there are four teams to choose from. The Cardinals and the Marlins in Jupiter and the Nationals and Astros in West Palm Beach. Also, the Mets are only 30 minutes north of Jupiter so there is a critical mass of five teams in a small area. The entire Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex is about 100 acres; each team has six practice fields each. Their two separate clubhouses border the outfield fences making a nice target for the hitters. The Roger Dean Chevrolet Complex via Google Maps The Cardinals and Expos were the original tenants. The Cardinals moved from St. Petersburg because MLB agreed to let the Tampa Bay Rays train there instead. In 2002, the Marlins replaced the Expos as part of their sale to Jeffry Loria. Saturday - Mets vs. Marlins "WTF Seth Lugo?" I'm a superstitious Mets fan - I'm sure others are as well. The deal is, if things are going well, don't move. Don't go to the bathroom, don't get…

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Spring Training – “The Best Week of the Year”

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"Life Begins Anew!" When my father was alive, he would call on that special February day and exclaim: "Life begins anew – the pitchers and catchers have reported to Spring Training!" It is in that spirit that we start our annual spring training adventure that we call "the best week of the year." It all started in business school in the late '90s. I met a new friend - Ken - and we realized that we were both baseball fans. Soon, our discussions began. "Wouldn't it be great if we went to spring training?” Or, "It's freezing here, and we could be in Florida." Or, "Another opening day and we didn't go to Spring Training!” In 2004, we called each other's bluff and decided to give the adventure a try. The result is that this year is the 16th installment of the weeklong tradition that we call “the best week of the year.” Hot Dog TossJacob DeGrom Where Should We Go? An evident and excellent question, when we started planning was "where should we go." Each of us had been to Florida and knew our way around, but had not traveled for Spring Training. We wanted a convenient place where we could indulge in baseball, sun, good food, and relax. We didn't want to drive a lot. Finally, it would be a plus if we could see the Braves (Ken's team) and the Mets (my team) occasionally. There are currently 15 teams playing throughout Florida. In 2004, I believe there were a few more, so we thought we had many choices. In actuality, we only found one spot that fit our needs. However, it was a great choice. We started deliberations - where all deliberations tend to start - at a local Starbucks. I brought a Spring Training map divided into three sections - Central, West Coast, and East Coast to help us decide where to focus. Later, I listed the games at each stadium for the four days that we had scheduled to be there. Yes, when we started, we thought that a short, four-day trip would be enough. Silly idea! Jupiter, Florida was the best choice that year, and we have been going ever since. Manny Machado...Bryce Harper......Not Bryce Harper Why Jupiter? Many towns/stadiums only support one team, and thus, daily games are likely not available. Since Jupiter hosts both the Cardinals and Marlins, we can expect to see at least a game each day. "At least" a daily game, because we can see a second game at another stadium if the planets align correctly. Why not one of the other areas that also support two teams? There are many teams clustered around Tampa. However, two of those teams are the Yankees and the Phillies. With our allegiance to the Mets and the Braves, do I need to explain the issue? OK, we don't relish the thought of spending a week dominated by the Yankees and the Phillies. After all, it's supposed to be a vacation. We're more…

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