>Fathers and Sons and Baseball

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Not about the Mets – but a cool story about fathers and sons and baseball. If you’re reading this stupid blog I’m sure you’ll appreciate. No this isn’t me, but I’ve done the same both as a son and a father.

“Dad, tell me the story about the Yankees and the Red Sox,” he’ll ask with a gleam in his eye, awaiting my account of “The Curse of the Bambino.”
He delights in hearing, over and over again, how the Red Sox made a colossal blunder back in 1920, when they sold the great Babe Ruth to the Yankees. The Yankees had to build a new stadium to accommodate all their new fans and they went on to win 26 World Series before the Red Sox won again –in 2004.

Now, with Yankee Stadium in its final season, my son told me he wanted to see his first Yankees game before the legendary place is history.

His wish was my command. I’m a hard-core, lifelong fan of the Bombers, but I hadn’t been to a game since my son came along. I was eager to pass my enthusiasm on to him.

And the rest is here: http://blog.nj.com/parentalguidance/2008/05/my_9yearold_son_isnt_a.html

Fathers and Sons and Baseball

Not about the Mets – but a cool story about fathers and sons and baseball. If you’re reading this stupid blog I’m sure you’ll appreciate. No this isn’t me, but I’ve done the same both as a son and a father.

“Dad, tell me the story about the Yankees and the Red Sox,” he’ll ask with a gleam in his eye, awaiting my account of “The Curse of the Bambino.”
He delights in hearing, over and over again, how the Red Sox made a colossal blunder back in 1920, when they sold the great Babe Ruth to the Yankees. The Yankees had to build a new stadium to accommodate all their new fans and they went on to win 26 World Series before the Red Sox won again –in 2004.

Now, with Yankee Stadium in its final season, my son told me he wanted to see his first Yankees game before the legendary place is history.

His wish was my command. I’m a hard-core, lifelong fan of the Bombers, but I hadn’t been to a game since my son came along. I was eager to pass my enthusiasm on to him.

And the rest is here: http://blog.nj.com/parentalguidance/2008/05/my_9yearold_son_isnt_a.html

>Is Reyes Turning Into Willie Mays Hayes?

>10 – 2 – 4 – 4

That’s a good line for a 2 game series. Toss in 2 homeruns and it’s a great line. Yes, Jose Reyes had a very good weekend as far as his stats go.

But the question is, should Reyes, the Mets leadoff hitter for (presumably) the next several years, be swinging for the fences?

Yes, chicks dig the long ball – we’ve heard that refrain for years. It’s that kind of attitude that brought on the steroid era. But for a SS that you are relying on to get on base, utilize his speed, and start rallies, a good manager would make sure he was swinging down, not up.

Reyes will hit his share of homeruns – however if he gets enamored wth swinging for the fences then he is in trouble. In the top of the 4th inning with 2 out and the bases loaded Reyes came to bat. On the very first pitch Reyes swung up and lifted a shallow fly ball to left to end the inning. All I could think of at that moment was Lou Brown telling Willie Mays Hayes to give him 20 every time he popped out.

Reyes has an amazing amount of talent, but over the last 2 years he has shown evidence that he thinks he is a power hitter. Where’s Lou Brown when we need him?

>Finally Some Fire – But Not From Willie

>Sunday night’s rout of the Yankees had it all – including an obvious blown call by the umpires on Carlos Delgado’s homerun/foul ball.

To me this was a perfect time for a manager to get up and get behind his player – show some fire and passion. Willie did come out, said a few words, and then went back in to the dugout.

That’s it?? You’re struggling former All-Star first-baseman was just ROBBED of a 3-run homerun and you just shake your head?

Meanwhile Jerry Manuel, the Mets bench coach, went ballistic in the dugout, continuing ot yell at the umpires even after Willie had come back to the bench. Jerry was run while Willie continued to shake his head.

I ask you, who would you want backing you up.

>Who Cares About The Fans

>According to Chris Russo on WFAN, players on both the Mets and Yankees were told at 6:15 pm Friday evening that the game was going to be postponed. Russo himself found out and had left at 6:50.

Meanwhile the fans were the last to find out, not being told until after the scheduled 7:05 pm start.

How much money was collected by the Yankees in concessions to fans who braved the elements? How about the money from the limited parking?

And what about all the parents with children that sat in the rain while the players they look up to were already getting dressed and on their way home.

Once again we have another example of how the owners and management really don’t give a damn about the fans.