April 14, 2011
Thursday, April 14 2011 – Mets 5, Rockies 6 & Mets 4, Rockies 9
When Tuesday night’s game against the Rockies was rained out and a single admission doubleheader (a real and true doubleheader) was announced for Thursday afternoon, which looked to be the first nice day all week, I immediately wanted to go. To the internet I flew like a flash! Tickets were both abundant and cheap and I was sorely tempted to channel my inner Ferris Bueller and play hooky from work.
Alas, after much internal debate I chose the more “adult” option of staying at my desk and getting my work done, clearing the decks in advance of my departure this Sunday afternoon for a week-long business trip in Chicago. I will however be seeing the Chicago Cubs take on the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field (where I’ve been dying to go for some time) so Ferris will be served in some small way.
Click here to read the rest of: “Radio Free Flushing”
Posts: Game Journals, From the Couch
April 11, 2011
Sunday, April 10 2011 – Mets 3, Nationals 7
Monday, April 11 2011 – Mets 6, Rockies 7
Well, you can’t win ‘em all. And I certainly don’t expect to, but when the bullpen blows up a game after a great start it’s a tough loss. Especially after a start like the one Chris Young gave on Sunday afternoon, going 7 full innings and allowing only a single hit and earned run. It seemed like just when you start thinking that the starting rotation might be working out the kinks, the bullpen shines a spotlight on the holes in the Mets’ pitching staff. At least Alderson took quick action and sent Boyer packing to make way for Izzy, who in my opinion should have claimed that final relief spot on day one. And he certainly demonstrated that last night when he shut down the rallying Rockies in the 7th, keeping the score tied in what had already been a rollercoaster game with the lead changing nearly every inning.
I think all Mets fans knew that this was not going to be an easy season by any stretch of the imagination, and that the wins would be hard fought for the most part and lucky for all the rest. But that managed to capture my interest and imagination far more than if they had set themselves up to be the pen and paper goliath the Red Sox were on March 31. It’s why I love the Mets, the victories are earned with blood and sweat and when they do come, they are all the sweeter for it.
Click here to read the rest of: “You Don’t Know Jack”
Posts: Game Journals, From the Couch, Personal History
April 9, 2011
Friday, April 8 2011 – Mets 2, Nationals 6
It wasn’t the coldest Opening Day I’ve been to, but it sure felt like it. That honor went to Opening Day 2007, where the sun was shining bright, but unfortunately much too far from the Northern Hemisphere to make much of a difference. Kate and I were there with a six-month-old Caelyn bundled up and inside Kate’s coat, with only her head sticking out like Quato in Total Recall. We didn’t make it through the whole game that time.
Yesterday was my fifth Opening Day with the Mets and my first at Citi Field. I took a half-day at work and Kate and I drove down with a cooler filled with my homebrewed “Regular Saison” a Petit (session strength) Belgian Saison, an Italian hero to share, and a few bags of pretzels. We “tailgated” beside the bay in the Marina parking lot and for the 100th time inhaled the smell of charcoal and slightly burnt hamburgers and wished we had brought a little grill with us. Next time, next time.
Click here to read the rest of: “Opening Day”
Posts: Game Journals, From the Ballpark
April 8, 2011
Step right up and greet the Mets! Bring your kiddies, bring your wife, guaranteed to have the time of your life! Because the Mets are really socking the ball, knocking those home-runs over the wall! East-side, west-side, everybody’s coming down – to meet the M-E-T-S Mets of New York Town, of New York Town!
Posts: Rants and Raves, Friday Baseball
April 7, 2011
I checked the weather report 5 times yesterday, and each time it said the same thing. 70% chance of rain for Friday, April 8 in Queens, NY. I’ll likely check it 10 times today, just for good measure, but I’m not expecting much improvement in the forecast. Kate and I are packing our ponchos and hats and gloves, but I’m just hoping there isn’t a rainout and that the clouds give way just long enough for them to get the game in. I’ve only been at the ballpark for one rainout in my brief tenure with the Mets, and that was the day of my father’s first baseball game.
My dad was never really into sports, and aside from watching a few minutes of a Penn State football game now and again (he’s an alum), I don’t recall him ever watching a game of any sort. Given that most kids inherit their parents (and more often than not specifically their father’s) favorite teams, I too didn’t have much interest in sports beyond playing them with the kids in my neighborhood. That was strike one.
Click here to read the rest of: “That First Game with your Dad”
Posts: Personal History
