Take Me Out To The Ballpark
Sep 19th, 2012, 03:23 PM
#41
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easytraveler,
Love your idea
Will probably be next season and would like to come out there when the A's and Gaints are in town.
Do you follow football? 49ers or Raiders .. Or Bucs (Then I Know You Are A True Fan)?
Think "The Raider Fans" have the best tailgate parties. We have enjoyed a few games out there and it may be time to pay "The Raider Nation" another visit.
Love your idea
Will probably be next season and would like to come out there when the A's and Gaints are in town.
Do you follow football? 49ers or Raiders .. Or Bucs (Then I Know You Are A True Fan)?
Think "The Raider Fans" have the best tailgate parties. We have enjoyed a few games out there and it may be time to pay "The Raider Nation" another visit.
Sep 19th, 2012, 05:24 PM
#43
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Hey - loved all the stories on here. I used to be a Raider Season ticket holder - back in the mid-late 70's - when a long time friend/teammate of mine played for them, and met a bunch of the guys. Just about as crazy of a bunch as you could ever find. DL Otis - from Mars - Sistrunk, The "Mad Stork" - OLB Ted Hendricks, They call me Assassain - S Jack Tatum, uber crazy - BIG - DE John Matuzk, OLB Phil - The Italian Stallion - Villapiano, Ringleader supremo - QB -Kenny "Snake" Stabler, and the list goes on...................
Remember in a playoff game against the hated Steelers (and for you older fans - you do know that the winner of the Raiders/Steelers playoffs games each time went on to win a Super Bowl (70's through the mid 80's) - Snake was talking trash across the line with the likes of DT "Mean Joe" Green.
All pros - G Gene Upshaw and T Art Shell were imploring Snake to knock it off - lest he really tick off Mean Joe.
Remember in a playoff game against the hated Steelers (and for you older fans - you do know that the winner of the Raiders/Steelers playoffs games each time went on to win a Super Bowl (70's through the mid 80's) - Snake was talking trash across the line with the likes of DT "Mean Joe" Green.
All pros - G Gene Upshaw and T Art Shell were imploring Snake to knock it off - lest he really tick off Mean Joe.
Sep 19th, 2012, 11:09 PM
#44
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DMB Traveler:
I'll be looking forward to next year then!
I used to follow football, especially during the Joe Montana and Steve Young days for the 49ers, but they really have fallen off the radar for me.
All those names that TomSD mentions for the Raiders - yah! followed them all and those "Raider Nation" with all that paint and black getup, made it look like Halloween! The RAiders were really something else - with all the bad boys coming together to form a superb team. Stabler was unbelievable. Loved John Madden - one of the greatest coaches.
We're very fortunate here. Great weather, great teams -
I'll be looking forward to next year then!
I used to follow football, especially during the Joe Montana and Steve Young days for the 49ers, but they really have fallen off the radar for me.
All those names that TomSD mentions for the Raiders - yah! followed them all and those "Raider Nation" with all that paint and black getup, made it look like Halloween! The RAiders were really something else - with all the bad boys coming together to form a superb team. Stabler was unbelievable. Loved John Madden - one of the greatest coaches.
We're very fortunate here. Great weather, great teams -
Sep 20th, 2012, 07:40 AM
#45
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Since we've veered off the baseball track (which is okay since it's DMB's thread and he's participating ), I'll tell one football anecdote which has nothing to do with a stadium -- when the 49ers won the Steve Young superbowl in 1995, two other moms and I took our kids (5 of them altogether) out of school to go to the parade in San Francisco. My kids are 25 and 28 now and still remember that day (and how cool I am for doing it ).
), I'll tell one football anecdote which has nothing to do with a stadium -- when the 49ers won the Steve Young superbowl in 1995, two other moms and I took our kids (5 of them altogether) out of school to go to the parade in San Francisco. My kids are 25 and 28 now and still remember that day (and how cool I am for doing it ).
Then maybe we could have pulled it off this year.
Sep 22nd, 2012, 10:02 AM
#49
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Oops. Was fishing Thursdy (caught some nice Yellowtail about 35 miles off the coast) - and then the Trojan Club of SD had a big luncheon yesterday/Fri with Sam "Bam" Cunningham, who according to an Asst Alabama Football Coach - did more in the Trojans big win back there in 1970 to further the cause of Integration in 'Bama in 60 minutes of a football game than Dr. Martin Luther King did in 20 years. http://archive.constantcontact.com/f...638712036.html
But my main comment was that after the Raiders finally their first SB in '76/77 - I went to the post SB rally in downtown Oakland - and Big John - "The Tooz" - Matuzak was bringing down the house by just making faces. As you may recall - he stared in a Caveman movie - with Ringo Starr, etc - and there was no dialogue - but Big John didn't need to say much, did he. Double http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Matuszak
Sadly, fast living and roids took their toll on even his huge body - and may he RIP.
http://archive.constantcontact.com/f...638712036.htmlBut my main comment was that after the Raiders finally their first SB in '76/77 - I went to the post SB rally in downtown Oakland - and Big John - "The Tooz" - Matuzak was bringing down the house by just making faces. As you may recall - he stared in a Caveman movie - with Ringo Starr, etc - and there was no dialogue - but Big John didn't need to say much, did he. Double
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_MatuszakSadly, fast living and roids took their toll on even his huge body - and may he RIP.
Sep 22nd, 2012, 10:15 AM
#50
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Tomsd,
Can you FedX me some "Yellowtail"
Interestingly, trying to get a boat going here so I can do the same thing except we also have dolphin and grouper here.
Yes, those were great "Raider Nation" days.
Can you FedX me some "Yellowtail"
Interestingly, trying to get a boat going here so I can do the same thing except we also have dolphin and grouper here.
Yes, those were great "Raider Nation" days.
Sep 24th, 2012, 04:24 AM
#55
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This year's MLB baseball playoff picture already looks very interesting, and I think a number of teams could wind up in the "World Serious". Really - it's as wide open as I have seen it in a while.
On the National League side - you have the young/super potential Washington Nationals (years ago they were the Senators - who haven't been to the playoffs since the 30's), the also young Cincy Reds - who have a very good pitching staff - w/ one of our best (former) Padre pitchers Matt Latos - (whom the cheapskate Madre owners/front office traded to Cincy),
and don't forget the pitching rich and now hitting very well SF Giants, nor the Atlanta Braves - who hope they can properly send Chipper Jones into retirement.
On the AL side - the Damn Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles are still battling it out to win their division, while Tampa Bay can also not be counted out, and the Chicago White Sox (with another former Padre Ace who was traded away for financial reasons - Jake Peavy) - and the Detroit Tigers hope to make some noise - and we all know the Texas Rangers have been in the thick of it the past few years, and I am hoping the LA Angels can also squeak into the Fall Classic, especially since the LA LA land Dodgers - are probably blowing their late season chances.
Really - it's as wide open as I have seen it in a while.On the National League side - you have the young/super potential Washington Nationals (years ago they were the Senators - who haven't been to the playoffs since the 30's), the also young Cincy Reds - who have a very good pitching staff - w/ one of our best (former) Padre pitchers Matt Latos - (whom the cheapskate Madre owners/front office traded to Cincy),
and don't forget the pitching rich and now hitting very well SF Giants, nor the Atlanta Braves - who hope they can properly send Chipper Jones into retirement.
On the AL side - the Damn Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles are still battling it out to win their division, while Tampa Bay can also not be counted out, and the Chicago White Sox (with another former Padre Ace who was traded away for financial reasons - Jake Peavy) - and the Detroit Tigers hope to make some noise - and we all know the Texas Rangers have been in the thick of it the past few years, and I am hoping the LA Angels can also squeak into the Fall Classic, especially since the LA LA land Dodgers - are probably blowing their late season chances.
Oct 1st, 2012, 12:42 PM
#56
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BLUE JAYS, BLUE JAYS, LET'S PLAY BALL
My trip to Rogers Center, home of the Toronto Blue Jays is sort of a secret mission. My first visit to Canada was many moons ago as a teenager and surprisingly one of my souvenir gifts was a “very cool” Toronto Blue Jays T-Shirt.
Today, after all those years this is the first time I am going to see the Blue Jays play. I always thought it was a cool if not strange idea to have professional baseball teams in the land of ice hockey.
Yes, I know there is only one team there now. However, the Washington Nationals were once the Montreal Expos.
Parking at the TTC Islington Station for a flat rate of $2 after 6pm, I board an almost empty subway headed downtown. However, two passengers in another car catch my eye. They are Blue Jays fans. Asking for directions from them, my plans to navigate to Rogers Center just got a lot easier. Making a subway change at St. George, I follow them through Union Station until I know I am headed in the right direction.
Next, it is time to find tickets which becomes easy with scalpers operating right in front of the stadium and local security cops. For $15, I am ten rows behind home plate in Sec-500. I can almost sense my nose beginning to drip.
My first impression of baseball north of the border is an almost stiff but proper one. Arriving at my seating section, I am made to wait until the next batter comes to the plate. A nice touch not to block the view of others that might not want to miss the action on the field.
What I do find missing in the stadium is, “ “Popcorn, here, Popcorn!”, or “Ice Cold Beer, Get Your Ice Cold Beer Here!”. Maybe it is the proper thing for the stadium vendors to do but I prefer the way it is done south of the border.
As the game wears on it does not look like my secret mission will be accomplished as the Yankees are struggling at the plate. Furthermore, the Orioles are playing great fall baseball and it looks like the division championship is going to go right down to the wire. Although I am a Yankees fan in the AL, it is nice to see Baltimore and a few other teams playing so well.
Being here I do get to see a few of my favorites play like Jeter and Escobar whose gear I bought cheap when he was traded a few seasons ago from the Braves.
Although earlier attempts at “The Wave” are weak, a Blue Jays home run gets the crowd energized. We manage to get a decent wave going late into the game. Not bad for a stadium that is only about one third full if that.
The 7th inning comes and Toronto adds it's own touch to the tradition. “Blue Jays, Blue Jays, Let's Play Ball... OK, OK.” Then it is “Take Me Out To The Ball Game”, Canadian style with just as much fun.
The Yankees fail to put a run across the plate and lose the series opener to the Blue Jays 6-0. Hopefully a minor setback for the Yankees on the way to the Fall Classic.
Video:http://youtu.be/XTZekiBuzfY
My trip to Rogers Center, home of the Toronto Blue Jays is sort of a secret mission. My first visit to Canada was many moons ago as a teenager and surprisingly one of my souvenir gifts was a “very cool” Toronto Blue Jays T-Shirt.
Today, after all those years this is the first time I am going to see the Blue Jays play. I always thought it was a cool if not strange idea to have professional baseball teams in the land of ice hockey.
Yes, I know there is only one team there now. However, the Washington Nationals were once the Montreal Expos.
Parking at the TTC Islington Station for a flat rate of $2 after 6pm, I board an almost empty subway headed downtown. However, two passengers in another car catch my eye. They are Blue Jays fans. Asking for directions from them, my plans to navigate to Rogers Center just got a lot easier. Making a subway change at St. George, I follow them through Union Station until I know I am headed in the right direction.
Next, it is time to find tickets which becomes easy with scalpers operating right in front of the stadium and local security cops. For $15, I am ten rows behind home plate in Sec-500. I can almost sense my nose beginning to drip.
My first impression of baseball north of the border is an almost stiff but proper one. Arriving at my seating section, I am made to wait until the next batter comes to the plate. A nice touch not to block the view of others that might not want to miss the action on the field.
What I do find missing in the stadium is, “ “Popcorn, here, Popcorn!”, or “Ice Cold Beer, Get Your Ice Cold Beer Here!”. Maybe it is the proper thing for the stadium vendors to do but I prefer the way it is done south of the border.
As the game wears on it does not look like my secret mission will be accomplished as the Yankees are struggling at the plate. Furthermore, the Orioles are playing great fall baseball and it looks like the division championship is going to go right down to the wire. Although I am a Yankees fan in the AL, it is nice to see Baltimore and a few other teams playing so well.
Being here I do get to see a few of my favorites play like Jeter and Escobar whose gear I bought cheap when he was traded a few seasons ago from the Braves.
Although earlier attempts at “The Wave” are weak, a Blue Jays home run gets the crowd energized. We manage to get a decent wave going late into the game. Not bad for a stadium that is only about one third full if that.
The 7th inning comes and Toronto adds it's own touch to the tradition. “Blue Jays, Blue Jays, Let's Play Ball... OK, OK.” Then it is “Take Me Out To The Ball Game”, Canadian style with just as much fun.
The Yankees fail to put a run across the plate and lose the series opener to the Blue Jays 6-0. Hopefully a minor setback for the Yankees on the way to the Fall Classic.
Video:http://youtu.be/XTZekiBuzfY
Oct 1st, 2012, 01:24 PM
#57
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I still love your thread/blog - even if ye are a Damn Yankee fan.
BTW - went to a very good/traditional Italian restuarant here in SD last week - (see http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...till-primo.cfm ) and on the wall they had pics of Frank Sinatra and of course - my favorite manager - Tommy - I bleed Dodger Blue - Lasorda.
Hope you get to some more parks and write great reports.
BTW - went to a very good/traditional Italian restuarant here in SD last week - (see http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...till-primo.cfm ) and on the wall they had pics of Frank Sinatra and of course - my favorite manager - Tommy - I bleed Dodger Blue - Lasorda.
Hope you get to some more parks and write great reports.
Oct 2nd, 2012, 08:16 AM
#58
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Tomsd,
Thanks for making me hungry. Was hoping to see that picture on the link. Frank and Tommy are also two of my favorite guys. One a zest for life and another for baseball.
Yankees are not there yet but an exciting finish to the season.
I know it maybe confusing to some but I am pin-stripped on the East Coast and bleed blue on the West Coast. Sort of a thing that happens when you love the game
Still have more parks to post from previous seasons. Hope to complete my tour of all the parks next year with a trip to the Giants and A's.
Thanks for making me hungry. Was hoping to see that picture on the link. Frank and Tommy are also two of my favorite guys. One a zest for life and another for baseball.
Yankees are not there yet but an exciting finish to the season.
I know it maybe confusing to some but I am pin-stripped on the East Coast and bleed blue on the West Coast. Sort of a thing that happens when you love the game
Still have more parks to post from previous seasons. Hope to complete my tour of all the parks next year with a trip to the Giants and A's.
Nov 1st, 2012, 06:50 PM
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I wish I had been at game 6 of the World Series when the Cardinals came back against all odds. It has to be one of the most exciting world series game ever. And there have been many.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports...AOM_story.html
We did go to opening day at Busch Stadium in St. Louis that following spring (April 2012). All living Hall of Famers were there including: Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter and former manager Whitey Herzog.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports...AOM_story.html
We did go to opening day at Busch Stadium in St. Louis that following spring (April 2012). All living Hall of Famers were there including: Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter and former manager Whitey Herzog.
