A Day At Yankee Stadium – The End Nears!

Just back from a daygame at Yankee Stadium II.  Took Little Miss Mets Police with me – and as we left I told her to take one last look around because she’ll likely never be there again.  Very strange and starting to get real.

It was also probably my last day game there, a notion that also struck me.  I have a few tickets left including the final home game (thanks ESPN for making that 8:05).

Headed out to Monument Park – her first and last time there – and snapped some pics with the Babe, and I took one with Bob Sheppard.

Speaking of Shep – the pretape intro of Jeter just isn’t working for me.  I think part of the problem is that it sounds odd to continually say “now batting for the Yankees…”  Maybe someone can make an edit that picks up with the word shortstop.  

I think it would be better if they used Shep in the first inning only, and then let Jim Hall do the rest.

No truth to the rumor that A-Rod has asked Jim Hall to precord intros for him in case something happens to Hall.

From the mouths of babes:

Little Miss Mets Police noticed the two most popular players are Jeter and Rodrigez because those are the most common shirts.

She asked why (in pregame) they weren’t wearing pinstripes.   Then she asked why the “final season” logo looks like the new stadium not the present stadium.   This kid might have a blog someday!

26 games to go until the Girardi/Hank/Jim Hall Yankees play in Just Another Stadium.   

Mets Walk-offs Has A Cool Post

Hey fellas – go visit http://metswalkoffs.blogspot.com/ which has a cool post about the top moments at Shea.   I have to run out now and can’t do a proper sample.   Walkoffs you know how to find me, you’re very welcome to do a guest post here if you’d like.

My quickie – the top moment is Terry Pendleton breaking our backs 9/11/87.  I was there and won;t ever forget that.  You didn’t think I was going to pick something happy?

OK – something happy – Seaver walking in from the bullpen Opening Day 1983.  I was there too.  Oh wait, The Former Franchise doesn’t love us.  Nix that.  Pendleton it is.

Maine & Rain

Heard a lot of sports talk today – by the way someone tell 1050 we don’t need an update evry 10 minutes.

There are crazy people out there today:

1.  The Santana Moaners.    It’s 2008.  He pitched 8.   99% of the time people will not blow a three run lead.   Stuff happens.

2.   The Jerry Bashers.   He thought someone could pitch the 9th with under a 27.00 ERA.   Calm down.

3.  Aguayo Freaks.   Yep, I’m sure that if the Mets had won that the back page would have been about runners being thrown out.

One game.  Relax.

Even if they lose tonight, relax.

As for tonight, John Maine is on notice.  If I don’t see you on the mound in the 6th inning you will get a mean nickname like your pal Four Inning Pedro.  

Open to suggestions…hit comments.

Should be an interesting 24 hours with lots of rain in the forecast.  Be ready for a long night.

R.I.P. Luz Portobanco (1979 – 2008)

I’m a little late on reporting on this but sad news came earlier this month when it was reported that former Mets minor league pitcher Luz Portobanco was killed in a car accident in his native Nicaragua. he was 28.

I remember Luz when he pitched for the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2001 – he was the starting pitcher for the first ever Cyclones game against Jamestown. Considering the weight of history that moment had, Luz handled it very well. He was one of the leaders of that team, both on and off the field.
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My fondest memory of Luz was in September of that year. The Cyclones had just beaten the Staten Island Yankees in the first round and were set to move on to play Williamsport in the Championship series. The ChaCha Slide was all the rage that year and Luz was with his teammates on the field dancing the steps for the crowd (#24 in the picture). It was fun, raucous, and joyful – and seeing Luz and the other players enjoy it so much just increased our enjoyment.

Two days later the towers fell.

That one night at Keyspan will always represent the last moment of pure innocence to me and Luz dancing on the field will be the image I prefer to remember from those days.

You Are A Big Green Monster

The Red Sox are hiring someone to be Wally.

Represent the Boston Red Sox as Wally at select community and corporate events; always conducting him or herself in a professional manner during appearances.  Must be available in a part time hourly role on weekdays, weeknights, weekends and holidays.  Must have reliable transportation.

Minimum of one year experience as a sports mascot, theme park character or actor.  Must have general knowledge of baseball and the Boston Red Sox.  Ability to interact with and entertain a crowd.  Must be able to withstand high heat in costume and be able to lift 50 pounds.

Apply now!