On a perfect Florida afternoon, one slightly tipsy Alphonso submitted his General Admission ticket to the senior citizen attendant, a former Lehman Brothers partner now working in Lakeland, Florida, and entered the Detroit Tigers baseball facility for the 1:05 game against the Yankees.
The green lights began flashing, bells rang, and confetti dropped from the rafters. Alphonso was the 10, 245th attendee yesterday, breaking a 45 year record for the largest crowd ever at the fabled, Joker Marchant Stadium.
After receiving a 2.5 liter tiger paws plastic cup full of diet strawberry soda, and a coupon for a smoked turkey leg, I settled into a backless seat on a football field length aluminium bench. I was surrounded by refugees from the "Supersize Me" movie about McDonalds, and their 2000 calorie big boy burgers.
This was a special day at the ballpark for some or all of the following reasons;
1. Austin Jackson led off for Detroit and is, apparently, their starting centerfielder. He didn't do anything memorable either at the plate or on defense. But he will.
2. Johnny Damon received a huge ovation from the Yankee fans who had made the road-trip for the game. He also showed he can still hit AJ Burnett, as he scorched a double off the RF wall.
3. We got to see Joba in his first relief appearance ( he closed out the 2-1 game in the ninth ) since Phil Hughes was named the fifth starter. He gave up two base hits, got some help with a double play, and struck out the last dude. His velocity was 91-94 on the gun, which was not the Joba we all remember.
This did not compare well with some monster Detroit reliever ( name?), who had hit 101 on the gun while striking out the side an inning or two earlier.
4. D. Robertson was his usual. Electric stuff; a lead-off hit; no problem. No runs.
5. Even Chan Ho was good enough. A little shaky but he got out of jam he created.
6. I still think that Brett Gardiner can't hit. I have seen 8 of his at bats now in two games, and he walked once, I think. Yesterday, he struck out and then hit into two identical outs. Both were high choppers to first base, about one foot off the bag. No zing, no pop, not a solid contact with the ball even on a foul. Nothing. Nada.
El Duque will tell you that we need to give him a few weeks of playing everyday to find his groove. Duque is often right about these things. My personality requires that I continue to drink whenever there is a good bar nearby, and denegrate the player in hopes that I shall be humiliated for my hasty judgements.
7. I still like this Laird kid at third base. He has a great arm, is a good defender ( though yesterday he was saved by Nick Johnson on a low throw to first, and couldn't hold on to a throw from Pena on a guy advancing to third...but it was a major collision and a tough, tough play).
8. Randy Winn ( is that his name?) looks like he will be useful for the year. He made several fine catches in a horrible and tricky wind yesterday in right field, and threw out a dude trying to score from second on a single to RF.
Last night at the bar, we met Gabe Paul's daughter ( Gabe used to own the Yankees for those senior citizens among us ) who has written a book
called, " Yankee Princess ," or some such. It is due out in two months. She had plenty of fascinating tales to share from the era of Mickey, Billy, and the boys.
I'd like her to meet She-Fan who remains my author of choice for Yankee lore.
Am worried about possible rain-out today in Tampa, but I'll be there.
The green lights began flashing, bells rang, and confetti dropped from the rafters. Alphonso was the 10, 245th attendee yesterday, breaking a 45 year record for the largest crowd ever at the fabled, Joker Marchant Stadium.
After receiving a 2.5 liter tiger paws plastic cup full of diet strawberry soda, and a coupon for a smoked turkey leg, I settled into a backless seat on a football field length aluminium bench. I was surrounded by refugees from the "Supersize Me" movie about McDonalds, and their 2000 calorie big boy burgers.
This was a special day at the ballpark for some or all of the following reasons;
1. Austin Jackson led off for Detroit and is, apparently, their starting centerfielder. He didn't do anything memorable either at the plate or on defense. But he will.
2. Johnny Damon received a huge ovation from the Yankee fans who had made the road-trip for the game. He also showed he can still hit AJ Burnett, as he scorched a double off the RF wall.
3. We got to see Joba in his first relief appearance ( he closed out the 2-1 game in the ninth ) since Phil Hughes was named the fifth starter. He gave up two base hits, got some help with a double play, and struck out the last dude. His velocity was 91-94 on the gun, which was not the Joba we all remember.
This did not compare well with some monster Detroit reliever ( name?), who had hit 101 on the gun while striking out the side an inning or two earlier.
4. D. Robertson was his usual. Electric stuff; a lead-off hit; no problem. No runs.
5. Even Chan Ho was good enough. A little shaky but he got out of jam he created.
6. I still think that Brett Gardiner can't hit. I have seen 8 of his at bats now in two games, and he walked once, I think. Yesterday, he struck out and then hit into two identical outs. Both were high choppers to first base, about one foot off the bag. No zing, no pop, not a solid contact with the ball even on a foul. Nothing. Nada.
El Duque will tell you that we need to give him a few weeks of playing everyday to find his groove. Duque is often right about these things. My personality requires that I continue to drink whenever there is a good bar nearby, and denegrate the player in hopes that I shall be humiliated for my hasty judgements.
7. I still like this Laird kid at third base. He has a great arm, is a good defender ( though yesterday he was saved by Nick Johnson on a low throw to first, and couldn't hold on to a throw from Pena on a guy advancing to third...but it was a major collision and a tough, tough play).
8. Randy Winn ( is that his name?) looks like he will be useful for the year. He made several fine catches in a horrible and tricky wind yesterday in right field, and threw out a dude trying to score from second on a single to RF.
Last night at the bar, we met Gabe Paul's daughter ( Gabe used to own the Yankees for those senior citizens among us ) who has written a book
called, " Yankee Princess ," or some such. It is due out in two months. She had plenty of fascinating tales to share from the era of Mickey, Billy, and the boys.
I'd like her to meet She-Fan who remains my author of choice for Yankee lore.
Am worried about possible rain-out today in Tampa, but I'll be there.
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3 comments:
That report from Ground Zero should win a Pulitzer. And I agree totally about that impostor who claims to be Gabe Paul's daughter. In fact, I challenge her to a literary throwdown.
Gardner is the weakest hitting non-pitcher I have seen in the major leagues since Willie Miranda. And if you don't remember Willie Miranda that's because he never did anything memorable.
Solid post. Agree with just about everything you said, including the fact that Brett Gardner cannot hit.
I was at the game and was also thrilled to be part of the record setting crowd. Go us!
Finally, the flame throwing Tigers' reliever who hit 100 and 101 on the gun is Joel Zumaya.
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