The White Sox won 2-1. Apparently excellent pitching makes for a boring game, and of course we missed the two big homers in the 9th because we left. Oh well.
Now that’s not to say there wasn’t a bit of excitement. G and I go to, on average, one baseball game every year and a half. Mainly to the Bronx, but they’re ALWAYS full of excitement. The last one we went to tied for the biggest shutout in baseball since 1900. Then there was the bench clearing brawl in 1998 when Benitez hit Tino between the shoulders because he was pissed he gave up a two-run homer to Bernie. I’m normally a peaceful person, but what a fucking good brawl. And we were about to leave that game too.
The most special, most amazing of amazing baseball moments for us will always be in Fenway (tut, tut) on our wedding night. On that fateful summer evening, the Texas Rangers, ARod in tow, played the BoSox. On his first at bat, Scott Hattenberg line drived into a triple play. On his next at bat he hit a grand slam. Probably the first and ONLY time that’s ever happened in the history of baseball. And we were there. Fate stepped up to the plate.
So what happened last night? Well, the excitement really wasn’t on the field, but in the stands. Sort of. Some complete and utter asshole competing for a Darwin award took a header into the net behind home plate. We were sitting two sections to the left.
Click for a better look.
So he had to crawl his way out of the net back to the stands where the cops were waiting with a loving embrace. Apparently his friends were taunting him to jump from the third level. If you want, you can read more about this stunning display of intelligence here. He may not have made ESPN, but by gawd he made the COVER OF THE POST! Impressive indeed.
I gotta say, my mind was changed about one aspect of America’s game. I’ve always hated what I’ve thought to be phony patriotism during the seventh inning stretch. Instead of a rousing rendition of Take Me Out to the Ball Game, the powers that be have decided to play God Bless America, followed up by a really goofy Take Me Out. To me, this always smacks of lip service and Ghouliani and profiting off of dead soldiers and civilians. I don’t know HOW they’re actually profiting – maybe in brownie points – but still. Insincere, maybe? At least that’s the feeling I’ve come away with. Especially when that Ronan Tynan guy does it. But last night they had a recording of Kate Smith – guaranteed to be from a fantastic Flyers game – and I was struck by the fact that HEY! We’re at WAR! Men and women are DYING FOR MY RIGHT TO BE AT THIS BALLGAME! Suddenly it all seemed very appropriate. God Bless Kate Smith. She really knew how to bring a point home.
Weeeell, we could debate about what and for whom they’re dying, but yeah, apparently the USA is at war. It’s easy to forget.
Hey: my cafepress order shipped last night. Got Gauge? I will, very soon!
I love it! I heard about it this morning. Leave it to you to catch a photo of it happening.
Wow. That’s incredibly stupid of that guy.
By the way, the cards showed up yesterday – thanks again! They’re beautiful!
I love that I can get all my news and op-ed in the knitblog press. I would have had to wait until Hubby comes home tonight to see that Post cover. (Hubby and kids were at the game last night, but left at the 7th inning. If they saw the Idiot In the Net, they didn’t think it was newsworthy enough to tell me.)
Sometimes I think the Post puts people up to this kind of stuff. Here’s 100 bucks, go do something stupid–your choice.
Being older and more cynical than you, even the Kate Smith version makes me feel pandered to.
xoxo Kay
I’ve been to one major league game and would love to see more. Baseball is America to me. It has bothered me, too about the 7th inning change, but Kate Smith would make it very ok.
Love the sock!
Excellent pitching makes for a boring game but lots of good knitting time 🙂 I caught some of the game last night and remembered you would be sock knitting there. Being a Cleveland fan, I would have loved to be at the shut out game you mentioned. Instead I was listening on the radio.
I’ve never been to a major league game — missed an opportunity to see the Brewers at Miller Stadium (with the cool, retractable roof) a couple of weeks ago. I was at a minor league game last week, though, and they still sing Take Me Out. I don’t remember that 7th Inning Stretch from the games of my youth — perhaps I was getting more soda (or I was in the bathroom because I was drinking so much soda).
I adore baseball, and it’s those moments that really thrill me – I watch it like a girl, I guess. I went to the Stitch and Pitch in Seattle (nosebleed seats, boo!), and Yunivsky Betancourt (who just arrived in this country a few months ago and came here from Cuba in a little boat with 8 other people – how brave is that!) had his first major league at bat and hit a triple. And everyone stood up and cheered him for the longest time. I love stuff like that – when someone hits a home run and their dad is in the stands. Makes me a little weepy. Plus we have Safeco Field here and it’s the most shrinelike ballpark, even with the garlic fries and all.
You went to a baseball game on your wedding night?? You are seriously my hero!
And that Ronan Tynan guy? I vote to send him on the next shuttle flight to spend a few years at the space station. Or maybe the first manned flight to Mars; they could just leave him there.
I think our troops are dying because Duyba and his lying band of thieves sent them there on cooked up intelligence. But what do I know.
Bombs, apple pie and baseball. God Doesn’t Mess with America.
Hmmmmm, maybe that’s my new bumper sticker!
Well, you’ve been to very memorable ball games. What a stupid stupid boy.