Renegades-Spinners at Fenway Park - Part 3 (Well Actually, We're in Lowell Now)

It was a fairly pleasant Sunday morning in Billerica and after a nice breakfast in the hotel, Harold and I made our way to Edward A. LeLacheur Park in downtown Lowell for game two of the three-game weekend series between the Spinners and the Renegades.

We got to the park early - in fact, so early, that we beat the Gades, including my esteemed radio partner, Sean Ford. The Spinners' staff couldn't have been nicer though. Fearing I would have to pay to park, an usher quickly took care of that, giving me a pass to park in the on-site garage. Thus we entered the ballpark and made our way to the booth, before that same usher eventually found us again. He told us where we could go to get our credentials.

Having not made them aware that we were coming (my bad) I was concerned, but not nervous. Minutes later, we emerged from the team office, credentials around our neck, held on by Spinners Lanyards!

By now, Sean and the Gades had arrived. He warned us to get to the field and soak it all in, and to get back to enjoy some of the best food in the New York-Penn League.

Harold and I walked the perimeter of the field, enjoying the famous "More Cowbell" skit from "Saturday Night Live" on the screen in left center field. Gades coach Michael Johns joined us outside of the dugout to talk about the Fenway experience.

The fact that he knew me by name is still strange and cool. I just assume nobody knows me.

For the second day in a row, I drew the duty of interviewing Joe Alvarez, which was fun, especially since I had just met his wife a few minutes earlier. Before we went to interview Joe, we noticed that some fans had begun gathering for autographs (not unusual) and it looked like one young boy had wanted to talk to me as we headed into the dugout to interview Joe (VERY unusual).

After our interview, we returned to the field to head back to the booth. We walked along the third base side to climb back into the stands. A young girl caught my eye and, sure enough, asked me for an autograph.

Let's pause here. My attitude about autographs is this: so long as you understand that I am NOBODY (other than Sean's daddy), then I'll sign. I'm a broadcaster, and not a famous one at all. I'm a very regular guy who has a really cool job (or hobby). Yet if you ask and understand this, than who am I to say no? I have a problem with refusing, especially to kids.

Harold was laughing, and wishing he had a camera. Photographer Tim Saunders walked by, giving me grief about signing. Sean Ford would also abuse me upon hearing the story later. Yet I signed the girls' free glove that they were handing out (thanks - Harold and I brought them back to our kids). I promised Nicole from Billerica that I would even say "hi" to her on the air.

She was thrilled about our whole encounter. Honest.

Guess what? She made my day also.

Life kicked me square in the arse before we hit the air, to the horror of my broadcast friends, but I pushed it aside for the call. It's usually easy to block crap out when we're on the air, and that's what I did. Tyree Hayes was amazing - a four-hit complete game shutout, and the Gades won, 4-0. Kyeong Kang homered and I even called a sacrifice fly! Some offense during my middle three! We even coerced Harold to join me at one point, much to his semi-dismay.

Before all was said and done, I wanted a picture of my good friends.
Um...thanks, Sean...

The drive home would have been uneventful, except for a wall of water (rain) that we hit on Interstate 290 in Worcester, and a wall of cars that slowed us up on the Mass Pike (Interstate 90) from Auburn to Sturbridge (Exits 10 to 9). People! Think EZ Pass! Yet we were off and running back in Connecticut, and even stopped for coffee and donuts at Tim Hortons!

Who knew a Tim Hortons had opened in the Nutmeg State? I just found out there are actually 15. Of course, none West of Plainville.

Naturally.

It was an amazing weekend. Sorry, nothing could ruin it (nice try though). Uh oh...I sense a Rule 55 moment coming. I'll stop.

I got to call a ballgame in a major league ballpark. I got to hang out with great, loyal friend. I got to talk baseball, and laugh, and sign an autograph. I brought gifts home to my son (OK, he didn't really like them, but he's six). I brought home more memories that will last forever.

You can get a sense for it all by looking at the pictures here.

Renegades-Spinners at Fenway Park - Part 2 (The Game)

When we last left off, we were approaching gametime. I had suddenly had the realization that I was about to broadcast a game at Fenway Park. Nobody was coming to tell me to stop; this was for real.

At 11:45 AM, Nick Kalogris started the theme music, and as I've become the pre-game host, it was my job to open the broadcast. I don't normally do this, but I knew what I wanted to say:

"Words I never thought I'd say in my life, 'Live from Fenway Park, this is Hudson Valley Renegades Baseball.'"

I'm told that my opening was good in totality, and I guess it sounded OK when I heard it, but I was beginning to hyperventilate as I spoke. Sean Ford thought I was nuts, of course, but I don't take these opportunities lightly. I just didn't want to mess it up. There are times that I get when our audience will be a little larger than usual, or when the stakes are a little higher. This was one of those times.



Eventually it just became baseball. The Gades and Spinners would play a wonderful ballgame. Anthony Scelfo would homer into the bullpen in right center, and the Gades would need to play catchup in the ninth, as they tied the contest at three. I called the fourth through six innings and enjoyed every minute, despite the sleepy offensive performances by each team. That's become a running joke. There are no highlights when I'm behind the mic!

The Gades had their chance to take the lead in the ninth but came up short, and would eventually lose the game in the 12th, 4-3. Sean was gracious enough to let me call the 11th (I didn't know that was coming), and I was a strike away from taking the call for the 13th. Oh well.

We quickly finished up the postgame show so that Sean could catch the team bus back to Lowell (silly guy, he could have gotten a ride from us). Harold and I went downstairs to catch up with my family (cousin Ron and Kris, along with Shelby and Ana) then came back to the booth to watch some of the PawSox/Charlotte Knights game.

We both hated to leave, but it was getting late in the day and we needed to resolve our parking and get to the hotel. What we found out was that media parking would have been free (that would have been nice to know) but after a 20 minute walk, we were back at the garage, and our media credential was enough to get parking down to just $9. We couldn't complain.

We found our accommodations in Billerica to be more than accommodating (thank you, Courtyard by Marriott), and dinner at the Lowell Brew Works hit the spot. We talked about watching a movie in the room, but Harold and I were both out by 10:15.

So ended day one. Day two took us to LeLacheur Park in Lowell for the second meeting between the Gades and the Spinners. We'll carry on from here.

Number 13, Meet Number 13!

I called today's Renegades-Oneonta Tigers matinée at Dutchess Stadium, and took Sean and Mom along. Though warm, it was a wonderful day for baseball. As at Ripken Stadium, Sean got the full run of the place. This time, he got to join Sean Ford and I in the clubhouse as we interviewed Gades manager Joe Alvarez. Joe told him he could ask a question, and in the end, he asked two:

- Would number 13 (Robi Estrada) be playing? The answer was "no." Sean, if you don't know, wears number 13 because his favorite player is A-Rod. So 13 is now his favorite number.
- Would he autograph a ball for him? The answer was, "Since it's Sunday, sure." He was kidding - of course he would sign.

So we have to work on his interviewing skills...

Then he and my Mom enjoyed the game as Sean and I called the Gades 3-0 win.

After the final out, Sean (The Son) got down to the field and was allowed to run the bases - pretty cool, considering I was still on the air as he was out there, and I described it to a breathless audience (OK, probably not).


After that, I got Sean back down to the left field picnic area, where the players were signing autographs for a special group of fans. What did my wondering eye spy getting ready to leave, but number 13, Robi Estrada himself! He couldn't have been more accommodating. Sean was able to talk to him for just a minute. Then he caught up with Jason Corder, who also signed for him. That made me smile, as Jason's family was kind enough to send a pizza up to the booth for us on Friday night. We sometimes forget the impact we have on the families.

Oh but we matter to them, and for some reason, they like us.

It's great to see the players doing right by the fans. Sean will not soon forget the kindness of Corder, Estrada, and Alvarez, just as he won't forget Caleb Joseph in Aberdeen.

So the "Rob Adams New York-Penn League World Tour" (T-shirts coming soon) has made it to Brooklyn, Aberdeen, Boston, and Lowell. Oneonta might be next Saturday (I hope...but it's a looong day trip), and I'm going to try to get back to Brooklyn before seeing Staten Island for the first time. I consider all offers to ride shotgun with me!

Not bad for a "pathetic" career, eh?

Don't ask. I will then have to invoke "Rule 55."

Sean had a great baseball weekend. He went to Saturday's Yankees-Royals tilt at the Stadium (sadly, his first game without his Daddy, but that's cool), and now this. He might go with me next Saturday, and if he does, you can bet that Cooperstown will get a visit from him.

Damn...now we've gone and done it. Rule 55 in action! Enjoy this video of Lou Gehrig in the 1938 movie "Rawhide."

A Quickie on The Babe

It was 60 years ago yesterday that we lost Babe Ruth. The greatest baseball player of them all; we owe virtually everything in the sport to him. His personality was larger than life.

There's no doubt in my mind that his number should be retired all across baseball - bottom line. It would not be simply a politically correct move. It would honor the man who saved the game and wowed us by showing incredible skills on the field.

Chris Russo Out at WFAN; Mike and the Mad Dog No More

Neil Best had it all along. He's been saying it all summer.

And now he writes that an era in New York radio is over.

My prediction is that they will not be successful apart.

More to come...

And there is more. Russo wasn't supposed to get a farewll, but Francesa nixed that and had Doggie on via phone. Today's opening was a must listen, as it was the final time we would hear the familiar opening that has become a part of our lives (Aaaaaannnnnnd...GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYBODY...HOW ARE YOU TODAY?). Hell, my son knows that song and opening.

Mike opened solo and spoke eloquently, in a way that I think people would appreciate hearing more of. Then he took a break and had the Doggie on. Dog spoke with an honesty about it being time to walk away and so on. Then...he broke down.

They would recover and talk like friends, and perhaps they may be going forward. We may never know, but what we do know is that the Mike and the Mad Dog show is over, and so is this era in radio. And as with Imus last year, I imagine my own listening habits have changed again.

Renegades-Spinners at Fenway Park - Part 1 (Pregame)

(Sean Ford and Rob Adams - photo by Harold)

OK, let's get it out of the way. Here's the deal: I'm a baseball fan. No, I'm a Baseball Historian (the caps make it look more official). I'm a Yankees fan, for sure, but I'm a baseball fan (and Historian) first and foremost. While, by nature, I don't like the Red Sox, I appreciate their fans and history and most of all, their ballpark.

With all of that being said, I will go almost anywhere to call a game (just ask my WGCH colleagues about the places we've worked), and will do just about anything to get a game on the air (note to Ricky - remember the game at Hopkins...or Riverdale?). If I'm asked to call a game at Shea Stadium (God forbid), then I'll do it. Are we clear now?

OK...onto Fenway Park.

I picked up my good buddy Harold, who would be serving as my "producer" for the two-day excursion into New England and we set off on our three-hour drive to The Hub (aka Boston). In fact, we made such great time that, even with some traffic near Bristol Connecticut, a bathroom break, and walking the wrong way after parking, we were still at Fenway Park around 9:30 - just a mere 3:30 after leaving Lake Carmel.

Sean Ford met us at the Absolut Club (a special area for certain guests) and we set off to the booth with media credentials around our necks (don't you love it when a plan comes together?). After a few stumbles figuring out which booth was ours (Booth E) and hooking up the equipment, we were ready to broadcast the game between our own Hudson Valley Renegades and the Lowell Spinners. It was game one of "Futures at Fenway", an abolutely brilliant idea that should be embraced by other teams.

Then Harold got to see first-hand the magic of the media credential, as we asked how to get to the field, walked down thourhg the stands, and with a little "ready?" to him, opened the gate and stepped out onto the same turf that Babe Ruth won a World Series on in 1918. It had the same magic as the first time I stepped onto the field at Yankee Stadium in 2003. Yet before we could have fun, I had work to do. I met with Gades manager Joe Alvarez and interviewed him in the visitors' dugout.

Now, just pause for a moment here. I had never interviewed Joe, yet here I was. Talking with him. In the dugout. At Fenway Park. The same dugout that the Yankees use.

We're talking crazy stuff.

After our chat with Joe (who is just a world-class guy), we paused for a moment to take it all in. Was this for real? Were we really allowed to go into the Green Monster?
Yes, we were.

We walked everywhere. Through the Monster (where I found the 55 plate that is used on the scoreboard and had my picture take with it), around the warning track, past the Pesky Pole, back to the dugouts, up to the Monster Seats and Pavilion before working our way through the closed-off areas (behind the ropes) to the press box.

Remarkable, wild stuff.

We had lunch ($5 for unlimited hot dogs, Caesar salad, drinks and other goodies) and settled in for the call of the game. It seemed unreal to me that I was about call a game from Fenway Park, but the countdown was on.

We'll do this in a couple of parts. Up next...the game.

Catching Up With Old Friends

I joined Michael Breed as host of "Tee Time" on WGCH in 1999 and we immediately hit it off. Michael liked the fact that I was irreverent and, quite honestly, I was never a threat to him, especially after I butchered the name "Scott Hoch" during one of my early World Famous Scoreboard Updates (it rhymes with "yoke", not "scotch"). We quickly became fast friends, and he showed me things about golf that I never knew.

Michael and I took the show onto the Business Talk Radio Network and went national but we eventually bagged the show due to being on Sunday nights, where we weren't going to get any guests. That and I was doing the show for free.

Anyway, I haven't spoken to Michael in some time, but I always keep up on what he's doing. He's still one of the top teaching pros in the country (and he got me my first set of clubs). I miss his friendship, but am so happy for how well he has done.

My friends over at Greenwich Roundup found this article from the Journal News (by Sam "the freakin' Man" Weinman) about Breed. Michael continues to get great press. That never fails to amaze me.

By the way, Sam Weinman doesn't call himself "the freakin' Man." I just think he's a great writer, so I called him that...just now.

Oh, and I just discovered that Michael has a website. This does not surprise me.

While I'm playing catchup, allow me to mention Dave Rothenberg, who started on WGCH (and WVIP) with me in 1999, helping me as a studio host for football and eventually calling some games in various sports. Dave's a great guy, and he had recently moved to North Carolina to host "Inside the ACC" on 99.9 The Fan. Well Dave just got a promotion. He writes:

Brett Favre isn't the only one with big news. I, too, have an announcement to make, although without the tears.

Starting Monday, I will switch from my nightly duties of hosting Inside The ACC to MORNING DRIVE!! I now get to co-host The Fanatics from 6-9 AM. This means I need to get into bed right now, but if you want to listen on-line or podcast you can go to www.999thefan.com.

BTW, Favre is now the 2nd best qb in GIANTS Stadium.

Dave's one of the good guys, and he never forgets where he's from. I'm really pleased for him.

New Front Page Picture

Here it is (for now), the brand new Front Page Icon that will live in the upper right portion of the "Exit 55" site. It was taken last Saturday at Fenway Park, inside the Green Monster (yeah, ironic, I know).

The full Boston trip report is to follow.

So Long, Bobby Ray

(Andy Pettitte, left, and Derek Jeter were among those representing the Yankees at the memorial service for Bobby Murcer - photo by John Clanton/The Oklahoman, via Associated Press)

Some of the media coverage for the memorial service for Bobby Murcer, last week in Oklahoma City. Some nice stuff in here.
The Canadian Press

The New York Times

News OK.com, who also had word of the State of Oklahoma honoring their native son with a Bobby Murcer Day.

So Let Me Get This Straight - Some Women Wear Inappropriate Stuff to Work?

You know where this is going...to Erin Andrews, of course.
This is the now-infamous outfit that Ms. Andrews wore to one of the games during the Cubs-Brewers series in Milwaukee. Now let's face it - she's fairly attractive, no? Can she report with a brain? I've gathered that she can. OK, so we've established that. So now comes the tought part - is what she wore "inappropriate?"

See, I guess I'm kind of used to this stuff by now. Women bearing some of their goods when they go to work? Showing "the girls?" Maybe showing some leg?

Yes...yes...and yes.

Now do I think it's wrong? I'll leave that to you to decide. Depends on the situation. Who are we talking about? What's their job? Sometimes, yes, it is inappropriate. Sometimes I think there are people who push the envelope, and get their jollies by doing so. They'll keep doing it until somebody talks to them. Otherwise, they're happy to be the center of attention, and for the leering...until it crosses the line.

You see, unless you're new to the human race, then you probably know that women have been "working it" since the beginning of time. They know how to play men. I'm not saying Erin Andrews is doing that - let's be very clear. But, God bless her, she's got the goods and she's strutting it, and all seemed to be cool until Mike Nadel called her out. Then everybody began to get in on the act...

fellow sports reporter Trenni Kusnierek (ripping Andrews)...

Chief Chicago Asshat (and fellow ESPN colleague) Jay Mariotti (ripping Nadel)...

And a very smart take on it by David Whitley in the Sun-Sentinal...

Lastly, of course, is Andrews herself.

I don't think any of them are wrong, believe it or not. Nadel had his take, Andrews is disappointed in it. Let it go at that, I guess. Women dress like eye candy to be on TV? Come on, you're kidding!

'Twas once a time where women weren't allowed in the locker room. They didn't report on games - heavens, no! You see, I don't care. Are they smart? Are they accurate? OK then I don't care what they look like. Sadly though, you just can't be ugly (well...that might be in the eye of the beholder). Michelle Tafoya, Hannah Storm, Suzy Kolber, Melissa Stark, Pam Oliver, and Andrews are just a few who can hold their own in the male-dominated sports world. Are each of them attractive? I'm not going there. I'm just saying they can hang with us in the sports-broadcasting world.

What they wear, and how they look, does matter to many. I have yet to turn on a game because I knew Andrews, for instance, would be reporting. But this idea that because Erin Andrews was wearing a little sundress that looked pretty damn good on her is bad is just lame - because I see it all the time. In the workplace. On the street. Anywhere. Everywhere.

And so do you.

Now the rub is that her credibility is damaged, along with the cred of other women in sports (like Kusnierek). That sounds like a bit of sour apples to me, but I get her opinion, and it's not wrong. On TV, this look is neither shocking or wrong. You become a flirty woman with (hopefully) the chops to be a reporter. In a corporate office, you become the office tease.

Or worse.

Camping...Robbie Style!

The camping trip to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania was a mega-success...so much so that I'm planning on buying a bigger tent and doing it again next year. For four days and three nights, we were in the comfort of the great outdoors with family, friends and food. The weather was great (even cold at night - really cold one night) and the laughs were greater. It lived up to the hype.

This all being said, let me be very clear that I am never going to be confused with a master camper. I need my hot shower, my change of clothes, my good food (or I'll go off-site and get some), and pereferably, I need something fun to do. A pool. A tourist-friendly site (like the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway and The Old Jail). A place to go get a cup of coffee without waiting two hours for the damn thing to percolate (if I so choose).

But most of all (maybe) I need a comfy place to sleep. While I can sleep almost anywhere, my back is not a big fan of the aftermath. So for me to camp, I bought an air mattress. I tested it out a month or so back, and noticed that the air seemed to leak, but was led to believe that it might be normal. So I set up shop on our first night at the campsite and laid down. Within two hours I was wide awake...and much of the air in said air mattress was gone.

I spent the night wrapped up in a sleeping bag on the ground. Thank God I got the sleeping bag.

As I lay there on the ground, in the tent, I figured that I could just go to the Wal-Mart in Lehighton - about 20 minutes away - explain the situation, and that would be it. Simple, no?

No dice.

They told me they had a strict policy against airbed returns. No receipt? Nothing they could do. I walked away, furious. I found nieces Laura and Steph - both of whom came along and they encouraged me to find a manager. I tried the sporting goods department, figuring we could work things out back there. Nope - the stooge on duty said she couldn't help me. I needed to find a manager. I was told Brenda, the assistant store manager, could help.

I returned to the Customer Service desk where Brenda was getting ready to head onto the sales floor. Using my patented Honest All-American Good Guy approach, I explained the situation. Still, no go.

So let's see if we're straight here. I have an air bed that is clearly defective, but they have a policy that says they can't take defective air beds without a receipt. Makes sense?

The problem was, they were enforcing it incorrectly. Oh sure, there's a policy that says they won't take the air bed back without a receipt if I'm trying to get my money back, but the part about being defective didn't include anything about a receipt. Sadly, ol' Brenda had no interest in hearing that, and really never did answer me when I said, "So what you're telling me is that Wal-Mart doesn't support their products." She just stood there, dumbfounded.

I was just about to walk away and weigh my options when Laura walked in as if I had just high-fived her in a tag-team match. She slammed the policy right down in front of Brenda and repeated what I just said about receipts and defective air beds. Still, no go.

So we stormed away (calmly) and regained our composure (at this point, I'm calming Laura down). I decided that the only thing to do was to call Wal-Mart's coroporate office from outside the stoor.

I explained the situation to the rep that answered the phone. She said that I would need to speak to regional marketing manager regarding this...and I could feel my blood beginning to boil as if I was waging a fruitless battle. I could see my options would be: a) sleep on the ground or b) buy a new bed and try to return it back in New York.

Yet I persevered. I explained the situation calmly one more time to the marketing manager's office like this:

"I just bought an air bed in New York (it was acutally Danbury, CT) and was using it while camping in Jim Thorpe. It's clearly defective and I've brought it back to your store in Lehighton, but trusting your product, I foolishly didn't bring the receipt. Your assistant store manager, Brenda, won't take it back. To be honest with you, I'd be happy with a bed of lesser value at this point. I just want a decent night's sleep."

Her reaction?

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Adams. I don't understand why Brenda is being so difficult about the return of a defective product. She clearly isn't enforcing the policy correctly. Go right back into the store and I will call Brenda myself."

Though I didn't get the pleasure of facing Brenda again, I did get to see Cat, the Customer Service Rep who I first dealt with, and she just kind of snarled at me. I picked out a smaller bed - easier to put in our tent - and before Cat could say a word, I told her that I didn't care at this point. I just wanted to be done. So I got the bed, and a gift card for the difference (which I didn't expect).

Thanks to the people "up the line" in the Wal-Mart food chain for doing right by their customers. The funny thing is, I really don't like to shop there, and hadn't in a long time, but being fiscally responsible negates such pride.

Laura and I are now firmly a tag team, and reminded everybody of that back at the campground (oh, thanks Jim Thorpe Camping Resort for a comfortable and fun experience).

Sean learned to fish, I got to relax, and we had fun. We had major father-son time. Sean acted like a bratty six year-old at times, but I don't view him as being worse than any other kid. Sure he needs to toughen up, and he's been coddled a lot, but he could be worse.

Oh, and we named my new air bed. Brenda, of course.

Pictures from the experience are here. I shot a short video as we waited for the train ride to start.

For Love of the Game

I'm all about trying to make people love baseball, because despite the number of people going through the turnstiles, I still see plenty of evidence of our National Pastime struggling in many areas and demographics. I don't think as many kids are as passionate about the game, for instance, as I was when I was young.

But I'm also weird. Then again, that's been recognized.

Yet hopefully I helped strengthen Sean's love of baseball yesterday. I had promised myself that I would make a few Renegades road trips - gas prices be damned. One of the games I circled was the afternoon affair between the Gades and the Aberdeen Ironbirds at Ripken Stadium. Initially my plan was to go alone - I mean, after all, to and from a game in Maryland (from New York) in a day is a lot to ask of a six-year old with the attention span of a Bob Feller fastball. Yet when I saw how the weekend was lining up, I felt it was my duty to take Sean and give him a day he would perhaps never forget. So I lined up my mom (herself a big baseball fan learned at the knee of her father - a Yankees fan and semi-pro ballplayer), who was as excited to go as Sean was...if not more.

A quick call to the Ironbirds office allowed me to explain that while I'm one of the Gades radio broadcasters, I don't travel with the team and only make select games. For me to make this trip, I was bringing some people to keep me company and keep me awake (good call, as I had a sleepless Saturday night). So I provided the names of my accomplices and was told to go to Will Call on Sunday to get the tickets.

Easy, right?

Right!

We set off just after 8:00 in my mom's car (thank you, thank you, thank you) and, recognizing my passengers, made a few stops along the way - coffee, breakfast, bathroom (the usual). Though I know we could have made it from Mahopac to Aberdeen in about three-and-a-half hours, we were there in just over four. Ever the financially-cautious person that I am these days, imagine my thrill to discover that parking at Ripken Stadium is...ready?...FREE.

The parking lot was largely empty, and we strolled to the Will Call window where the passes were handed to us with barely a raised eyebrow. Next, we walked right into the stadium, even with backpacks (you didn't think I was going to let Sean go without things to occupy him, did you?). To make things even cooler, we were given Ironbirds hats!

We found Sean Ford in our booth (yes, two Sean's...see below...with me calling the game).
With our passes, I was able to get Sean down to the field, where I showed him around - yet I always get nervous that somebody will scold us. Instead, an usher asked if we'd like our picture taken with Ironbirds' starting catcher Caleb Joseph. Right there, being fan-friendly makes instant fans. It's that easy. For the record, Caleb had an infield hit and struck out twice, but is better than that.
We walked the entire length of the warning track - past the rotating ads in center field that got Sean's attention, and where I demonstrated how the outfield wall is padded (Adams leaps...and MAKES THE pretend CATCH!) to the bullpens. Now...I'll apologize in advance for doing this...but I took Sean into the Gades bullpen and found catcher Tyler Hauschild's helmet. I let Sean try it on and took a picture.
Remember...it was for the love of the game. Forgive me?

I was able to show things to Sean that a lot of kids don't get access to. Finally, a member of the grounds crew asked if we were with anybody, and after showing him our credentials, we were allowed to stay. They got it - and so did everybody else within the Ironbirds' family. Though it might have seemed different to have these two people following me around (a kid and his Granny), they understood that it was the opportunity to make a connection, and make it about family.

If the Ripken organization doesn't understand that, then nobody does. I can't possibly say a bad thing about our time in this wonderful facility. The food was good (jambalaya!), the facility was beautiful, and the staff was friendly. Ironbirds' radio voice Steve Lenox also had his family on hand, so it was "Broadcasters Take Your Son to Work Day!"

The Gades won the game, 6-4, and Sean was extremely well-behaved. It isn't easy to nurse kids through a nine-inning game, but it's a lot easier when you're not confined to a seat, and are allowed to spread toys out - be it in the air conditioning of the club level, or the great outdoors. Plus those blow-up bouncy things help. And mascots handing out little baseballs.

And, working quickly, I got Sean back down to the field where he was allowed to run the bases with other kids.

Our ride home was somewhat uneventful, despite the lousy Sunday night traffic. That lengthened our drive to about five hours (we stopped for dinner also). Sean slept most of the way home. I hope he went to camp today and bragged about his great experience. That would make it all worthwhile.

Next up for me is Fenway Park, followed by Lowell, Oneonta, and perhaps Brooklyn (again) and Staten Island.

The rest of the pictures from our day are here.

Baseball+father-son time=priceless. Add in a mom that loves baseball (sadly I can't take my dad) and it was a really great day.

The End of Mike and the Mad Dog?

It could be drawing to a close soon, so says Neil Best, but the Mike and the Mad Blog won't let it die without a fight. They're putting a petition online, and while they rip Kim Jones (who I like), they also attack Evan Roberts, Joe Benigno, and Chris Carlin, all of whom will hold down the 1-6:30 slot normally occupied by M&MD.

The best of the petition (in the form of a letter to PD Mark Chernoff) is this:

I want hand waves. I want arrogance. I want condescending. I want ill-informed. I want my Mike and the Mad Dog.

Well said, good sirs.

And in other moves at WFAN, Neil has the goods on the new host of the Giants pre- and post-game show: Russ Salzberg. What? Did Chernoff not accept tapes? Did he not look into The Killer? Haysooz Cristo, what exactly is going on down there at the Fan-a-roonie?

Ponderous.

Rule 55 in Action

Things to say, a bad day and night to respond to. Disrespected. Frustrated. Broke. Generally pissed. Tomorrow's another day.

So here's a video! The Son likes this commercial...

New Terminology

For you who love to create your own handbook of terms and slang (ala "Haysooz Cristo" - a fun version of writing "Jesus Christ" without truly taking the Lord's name in vain), allow me to hit you with a new one:

Rule 55.

That's right. Live it. Breathe it. Make it your own. Enjoy.

Oh and the mere fact that Sean used the word "feckless" helps prove why he's cooler than most people.

Had I been near a computer this weekend, I might have invoked my beloved new rule.

Thank you. That is all.

What The BLEEP?

OK, so I'm back, and a little birdie whispered to me some disturbing news out of Cardinals' Land.

He was calling me about something else and said, "did you hear about...?"

Well, no...but wow!

Read here.

Full disclosure - I know Phil Tarantino and he's a stand-up guy (not to mention an "Exit 55" reader). I'm sure he's strict with athletes, though I've never seen him in action. So what exactly drove somebody to this?

There just has to be more to this story, so I guess "stay tuned."

Otherwise, I'm tired. Camping was great, and I took pictures, got into a fight at the local Wal-Mart, had a few drinks, and so on. Good times. We'll catch up soon.

Gone Fishin'

Well, not really. I've gone camping - to Jim Thorpe, PA. Sean will fish (he has a Transformers fishing pole...don't ya love marketing and merchandising?) and I will hopefully relax and NOT THINK. About ANYTHING.

I doubt I'll have a computer, but if I do, I'll check in. Be well and talk to you soon!

PS - my friend Dana had shoulder surgery earlier this week. I haven't talked to her...so I hope all went well!

PPS - Sean says, "good bye!"

Embarrassing

It's bad enough that the Wiffle ball field was torn down. So the kids go back to have a harmless game on the field - without the walls that existed there. Seems innocent, no?

WRONG! The poor neighbors felt threatened by the evil Wiffle ball players. So the neighbors called the cops, and now there are "No Tresspassing" sings.

You stay classy, Greenwich. I especially appreciated this quote, by the esteemed First Selectman, Peter Tesei:

"It is what it is. It means you don't go there."

Well isn't that just dandy.

The whole thing is just another black eye in the court of public opinion from Greenwich and Riverside. Just another excuse for outsiders to snicker at the rich, snooty behavior in Greenwich. And this time, I can't defend the town. Nor will I defend the neighbors.

The whole thing stinks.

There's a much-overused cliche for things like this:

Mighty Greenwich has struck out.

Tesei Cries "You're OUT!"

Despite support from virtually every politician, the Greenwich Wiffle ball players didn't get the support of the one person that counts: First Selectman Peter Tesei.

The Greenwich Time details it here.

There are two approaches to this. Number one is to say that Tesei is using his best judgment and is doing what's right for the town. Number two is to say that Tesei is caving into the whining of rich NIMBY's who were prepared to make his life miserable.

I'll save my rant and rage and leave it to you to comment.

UPDATE: They're holding a protest at the field site Friday morning at 7:00. This is nothing more than a town official covering his and the town's arse, seeing it as a "liability issue." That's an easy way to get out of it. I don't envy Mr. Tesei.

We're Being Watched

From River Ave. Blues comes a link to some amazing technology. Go here and take a look at Yankee Stadium on the 4th of July. I thought the guys at RAB were kidding when they said:

odds are pretty good that you can find yourself, in high res, in that photo...

They also go on to say that it's Dice K throwing the the pitch, when it's acutally Josh Beckett. But I digress.

Anyway, sure enough, I was able to zoom in and there we are (in the picture up top). Then I zoomed in as close as possible...

From left to right are Eddie, Steve, me, Kris and Jeremiah. Kelly and her dad are sitting in front of Eddie and Steve. Mick would have been in the shot, but we can all guess where the smallest bladder in the history of man is...

And don't get me started on the girls that are supposed to be sitting in our row. Just don't go there...

FOX Had Been OK...

For the most part, I felt that FOX's All-Star coverage was passable. Yes, they botched a few things, and blew off a couple of others for commercials, but they earn my wrath for leaving as the Great Mariano came out of the bullpen, mid "Enter Sandman."

Mo's entrance is one of the coolest moments in sports, and his participation in this game had been a source of controversy. You'd think they could have skipped that commercial break, don't ya?

Oh, FOX (specifically Tim McCarver) did kind o' piss me off with their DEFENSE of Papelbon. They're kidding, right? Then ol' Paps went and damn near blew the game. But Billy Wags (he who is not the real Sandman) came in and let former Renegade Evan Longoria tie the game up, thus taking Paps off the hook.

My hat tip to Terry Francona for bringing K-Rod in, setting things up for Mo. Further nods to K-Rod himself for applauding as he left, in deference to Mo.

And as for Mo's appearance? Um, strike 'em out, throw 'em out. Just another night for the greatest closer ever.

Did I just hear Tim McCarver say that the booing and treatment of Pappelbon will further fuel the fire of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry? Is he kidding?

Oh, and I NOW find out what I've been waiting all night for. From PeteAbe:

I should have mentioned this before but I foolishly assumed Fox would have mentioned it. But there was an announcement after the second inning about Bobby Murcer. It wasn’t a moment of silence, just sort of an annoucement. I’m sure the Yankees will do something better on Friday.

Um, Mr. McCarver? You WORKED with Bobby Murcer on Yankees games and called him a close friend. Could SOMEBODY have mentioned him tonight?

I know the Bombers will pay tribute to Bobby Ray on Friday night, but I won't be there. I'll be calling Gades-Auburn Doubledays. Damn.

UPDATE: It took FOX until 12:17 AM (at the start of the bottom of the 11th) to finally pay tribute to Bobby. Very nice.

All-Star Game, Father and Son Style

The Son is asleep now. His bed time is normally 8:30, but he got a few extra minutes tonight.

It's the All-Star Game. It's baseball. It's time for father and son.

Thankfully, the New York-Penn League takes tonight off, as does most of Minor League Baseball. "The Tailgaters", however, had to work, and Sean Ford and I did a pretty good show. We work a lot better when we're face-to-face, but most times Sean is in the ballpark, and I'm in the studio. We'll be separate tomorrow and Thursday, and together on Friday at Dutchess Stadium.

With the show over at 7:00, I had an offer to grab dinner with Sean but passed, wanting to make good on my own promise to watch some of the Midsummer Classic with Sean (The Son).

Yet I wondered - would he join me? To be honest, Sean is not great at watching games on TV. When I told him though, he surprisingly didn't hesitate and was with me for virtually all of the 45-minute opening ceremonies. I wanted him to understand why this was emotional and important.

I especially enjoyed watching his reactions. Oh he had toys with him (some cars and a car wash) but his focus was largely on the TV. He booed the Red Sox and Mets players, took note of the Braves, Giants and Pirates, and cheered loudly for A-Rod, as well as recognition for Joe Girardi, Derek Jeter, and the Great Mariano Rivera. He seemed intrigued by the older men wearing the suits - especially those with the Yankees hats on.

He was very impressed by seeing the REAL Whitey Ford. My brother has a cat named Whitey Ford, and that's all he's ever known. I've tried to explain that there was indeed a real Whitey Ford. Tonight, he got to see Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford for himself.

He also seemed stunned as Daddy was able to rattle off the names of each Hall of Famer as they were introduced. "How did you know that?", he said.

Sean took note of the moment that George Steinbrenner was driven onto the hallowed turf, allowing me to note there was once a time when pitchers were driven in from the bullpen in a car (the old pinstriped Datsun). He was curious about The Boss handing the first pitch balls to Reggie, Yogi, Whitey, and The Goose. He inquired what that was all about, but for a moment, I had to regain my composure, as the scene had choked me up.

My son was watching the All-Star Game with me. You might not understand that. But I do.

Sean went to bed not too long after the first pitch, but I had to do one more thing.

I liked seeing my players as a kid. So I pulled Sean out of bed so he could see A-Rod hit in his first at-bat.

Sadly, there would be no fairy tale. A-Rod popped out to the catcher. Sean went back to bed.

And I smiled.

Jonathan Papelbon=Asshat...The Sequel

PeteAbe has some thoughts from inside the American League clubhouse before tonight's All Star Game.

Yep, ol' Paps is the best. I always kind of thought most the Sox were OK guys. But Papelbon is, well, whatever.

Neil Best With More About Bobby Murcer

Touching story relayed by Neil Best.

Read here.

Tim Parry Visits Wiffle Ball Heaven

A big 'atta-boy to Tim Parry, who took a ride to Greenwich to visit the now-infamous Wiffle ball field.

Read his account here.

A lot of times the NIMBY's find some support, and often win their case. It doesn't look like a lot of folks are on their side in this situation.

Somebody is actually spending the time and money to have a security camera installed to view the field? Haysooz Cristo, puh-leeze find something better to do. Donate the money to a charity, or something.

What I've learned is that you're cool to the kids, the kids will be cool to you. At worst, they'll ignore you. This is true in everything, like the volleyball game I took part in the other day where it was me, who graduated from high school 21 years ago, and probably 20 kids, who graduated a month ago.

Jonathan Papelbon=Asshat

He's kidding. No, really, he's kidding, right? Wait...you mean he is serious?

Jonathan Papelbon is a great closer. He's got the whole 'tude and everything. Great stuff. But if he thinks he deserves to close out the All Star Game...for the American League...at Yankee Stadium...I've got some news for him.

There's this other closer, and it's kind of his building.

And Papelbon might not even be the best closer on the AL squad.

My favorite line is when he says he deserves to close because:

"By winning the World Series and having our manager here."

Stop! My sides! The comedy!

More YouTube Goodness

I doubt this will stay up for long, as Major League Baseball's watchdogs are always finding things that get put up on YouTube and taking them down.

Stupid.

Anywho, have a lookie at this footage from 1972. It's the Angels and Yankees in The Bronx, and the great Dick Enberg (long-forgotten as a baseball announcer) is at the mic.

A certain left-handed batting, right-handed throwing center fielder named Murcer shows up in this. That's probably just coincidental.

Speaking of coincidences, Enberg passes along condolences regarding a member of the Angels family that has just died from cancer...right as Bobby Ray is about to hit.

What's My Line?

Bad night - I can't sleep. I've been up since 2:00 AM, and am now just giving into blogging. Instead of saying what I'm thinking, let's watch a funky fresh video - Bobby Murcer, on "What's My Line" in May, 1971.

I Have Very Little Nice to Say Tonight

Remember that rule I had about posting videos when I wanted to say something else?

Well then, take a look at this wonderful video of Pittsburgh sports greatness.

Still More Tributes

AP Photo by Julie Jacobson

Nice touch by John Valenti in Newsday here.

PeteAbe blogs some items here.

Tyler Kepner in the Times has thoughts from longtime Yankees trainer Gere Monahan here.

Here are the thoughts of Bill Madden in the Daily News.

Haysooz Cristo, even Mike Lupica has stepped up to the plate.

Bob Raismann has praise also? Wow - guess everybody really did like him.

I'll keep adding things of interest. Oh, I do have just one criticism, and leave it to ESPN. They did a story on ESPN News about Bobby's passing. As most outlets do, they added that "death shot", which is a still frame of the person with their dates of birth and death. There was a full-color picture of Bobby, from his appearance at Yankee Stadium in May (which is above). Then in the background was a faded image of Bobby in mid-swing...in a CUBS uniform.

Sheesh.

Let the Tributes Pour

Shaun Powell has written the first great tribute to Bobby Murcer. Please read it - it says much of what I'd like to say tonight/this morning.

The current Yankees comment...

Bobby Ray Murcer - May 20, 1946-July 12, 2008

I don't quite have the words to say how I feel like tonight. Bobby Ray Murcer felt like a friend - he was such a regular guy - but he was so much more. He was a fine baseball player, loving husband, great father and friend, good broadcaster, and a great person. He is somebody that every young person should know about, because he played the game well and inspired people. He's a big part of the reason that I'm in broadcasting today.

Frankly, I'm just a touch too emotional tonight. I've lost my favorite athlete - ever. He was so wonderful to me the three times we met (including above, in 1983). We do place too much emphasis on our sports heroes, but Bobby Murcer helped make me love the game of baseball, and to pass that love on via the radio.

I feel like a chapter of my life has closed. How appropriate, since a chapter of my life is ending.

Please go here for the Yes Network's coverage. Major League Baseball also provides some excellent coverage here.

Sorry - I should say more, and I'm not being melodramatic. I'm just pretty damn sad about this.

More Wiffleball Madness

My friends at WSTC/WNLK (well, I only know Matt Levine) had this note on their site today:

The Brockton Rox, a baseball team in a Massachusetts independent league, wants to show the people of Greenwich how to be a good neighbor. The Rox, of the Canadian-American League in Broxton, Massachusetts are inviting the Greenwich wiffleballers to take them on, by challenging the 14 wiffleball players to a wiffleball game at Campanelli Stadium.

When the Massachusetts team became aware of the controvesial field situation surrounding the Greenwich youths, they immediately wanted to show their support.

"We are all about family fun," said Rox General Manager Brian Voelkel. "Wiffle ball is great way to spend a summer's day and we want to encourage these kids for their desire to not sit at home and play video games," Voelkel added

Kind of funny, considering WGCH's owners own the station that have the Brockton Rox games. Great job by the Rox, and I hope the Greenwich kids take them up on it.

The whole Wiffleball thing is dumb, and shows Greenwich in a bad light...again. The story has been picked up by the New York Times and others. It also sounds like the politicos are supporting the kids. I'll join them for a game anytime!

Kudos to my WGCH colleague Sam "I've never met a cause I didn't like" Romeo for discussing the situation on his "Greenwich Matters" program.

Fairfield County Wins All-Star Game

Nick Angotto reports that tonight's Hall of Fame Classic All-Star Game was a...um...classic!

Word is that there was a wild play late in the fourth quarter that allowed Fairfield County to score and tie the game, sending things to overtime. Fairfield County would eventually beat New Haven County, 31-30.

Don't take my word for it. I'm just getting home from something else that I'm doing these days. Instead, head over to the FCIAC Football Blog, where Tim Parry will have the details. And by the way, Tim worked tirelessly promoting the game. He gets my vote for MVP.

Just one other thing...and this is a note for Tim...I made sure to talk up the game today on WGCH. I wish I could have done more, but duty called. I wasn't invited to take part in the broadcast on SportingNewsCT. It's all good, I suppose. I'll hang out with the Renegades instead.

I once worked for SportingNewsCT. No, make that twice. They seem to have lost my phone number since then. Strange, considering I worked for free. Guess I won't be that "voice of the FCIAC" that I was suppose to become.

Sean, you wanted me to blog more, no? Say something funny!

In all seriousness, Nick Angotto was there in part because they honored his late friend Steve Bawol tonight. Still, I hope he didn't pay for his ticket. He's electronic media - part of the WGCH familia!

Before you know it, it will be August 23rd - and the start of practice. I expect to spend that day (my brother's birthday) in Oneonta (and probably Cooperstown), calling the Gades and Tigers. Then it will be Septembers, and I'll be back at the mic on WGCH.

At least that's the plan.

Let Them Play!

Oh, for the love of God. Have we nothing better to get upset about?

About a week ago, I wrote briefly about a Wiffle ball field that was built in Greenwich on a patch of unused land. As usual, there was "community opposition" from some of the neighbors, plus kids being - SURPRISE - kids, they didn't go to Town Hall to get their seal of approval.

Haysooz Crisco, I could have seen myself doing the same thing on the old barren lot across the street from my parent's house. In fact, we did do the same thing, playing everything from hide and seek to - GASP! - "war" over there. It was also the land that became a home run if a fly ball landed there during our - wait for it - WIFFLE BALL GAMES!!

Well now the neighbors have brought in a lawyer, and taken the whole thing to another foolish level.

This is where the humble Sports Director of WGCH Radio will pause for a moment before exploding on a rant. Since a lawyer is already involved, Mr. Adams will resist from saying anything that will have said lawyer - or a process server - visiting him. Been there, done that. Didn't buy the T-shirt though. Too expensive.

OK, thank you. I'm back.

Anyway, look - here's the thing. How many times do I have to tell you, Greenwich, that you look ridiculous to the rest of the world when you get your multi-million dollar shorts in a bundle over these things? Do you know how many times the world laughs at you over beach access, football stadium lights, and now Wiffle ball fields? I'm sure you don't care, but maybe you should, as this story will give the pundits any excuse to bring the hammer.

This advice is free, by the way.

(NOTE - After writing my original draft of this, I drove to work and was listening to WCBS 880, as they ran a story about...what else...this subject. They described the ruckus as taking place in Riverside, but you get the point.)

I said it when I first presented this here - there are worse things they could be doing. Would you rather the players go sit in somebody's house, playing video games, eating unhealthy snacks, and watching TV all summer? Then why not let them go play ball and have some fun?

There are charges in the article of broken alcohol bottles and horn honking signs (to support the field). No point in getting into that stuff, as I don't know what the truth is and as always, it's somewhere in the middle. But a few things boggle my mind. Here's just one quote, from Neil Vigdor's article:

"Certainly, there's a sense of fear that has been created," (lawyer Tom) Heagney said. "Right now, because of the activity that is going on there, I don't think you can do anything but stop it at this point."

??????

So we'll sit back and watch and wait. People - let's find a compromise. There has to be a better way to spend the summer than in court. Set some ground rules, put in a curfew, and the whole thing will likely go away. But keep it up and everybody is going to dig their heals in.

When did common sense become so rare?

Kind of Cool

A jazz funeral was held recently at Hillside Cemetery in Cortlandt. That means nothing to you, but it means a lot to me.

My father, three of my grandparents, and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends are all buried at Hillside. I never realized that two of the once-famous Boswell Sisters singers were buried there as well.

So read here if you wish.

Behind the Scenes

I finally stepped into a land that I had never ventured into during my first "tour of duty" with the Renegades.

The clubhouse.

Before almost every Gades game, Sean Ford records an interview with the team's manager. This year, it is the very likable Joe Alvarez, who is in his first year with the team. So before yesterday's game, I strolled down to the clubhouse with Sean.

Now don't be fooled. Dutchess Stadium isn't like a big league park. It's not uncommon to find the clubhouse in a separate building from the dugout. In this case, the clubhouse is down beyond the right field corner.

That's where Sean and I gathered with Sean McMann of the Poughkeepsie Journal, who writes his own blog, Renegades Rumblings.

As an aside, what is it with all of the Sean's in the media that I know? Ford, McMann, Bowley (Sean Patrick, to be exact), and the one and only Killer Kilkelly.

Let's back up. I arrived for Saturday's 7:05 PM game at Dutchess Stadium around 4:00 PM, and parked without anybody saying a word to me. I also walked into Dutchess Stadium near the clubhouse without incident. Don't get me wrong, it's not that easy. It's just that I have the proper credentials and make sure they're on me at all times.

The Tri-City Valley Cats were taking batting practice as I went up to the booth, where Sean Ford was waiting and playing baseball on his laptop. He and I made small talk and began to go over some news and notes. Then we decided to take the walk out to the clubhouse.

Upon our arrival, Sean (Ford, that is) peered in and heard enough to indicate that the team was having a meeting. So we waited and talked. As players began to file out, we walked in and waited some more.

You wait a lot in the media. You wait for your interview subjects, for the media food, for the starting lineups, for the game to start, and so on.

Honestly, there isn't a lot to tell about the clubhouse. After walking in, the training area (it's not even a trainer's room) is on the left. A quick right takes you into the locker area. There are a few comforts (couches and a big TV), and music is blaring. The players don't have big lockers - they're fairly small but nice, with a stool in front of each one and a small printed, but laminated nameplate. Another right turn took us to the office of Joe Alvarez.

"Office" probably isn't the right word. The Gades' skipper's area has a locker and a small desk, with a small couch and chair. Yet no door.

We waited for a few more minutes for Joe Alvarez to put his uniform on before heading in to talk with him. As we talked, there was some playful abuse for Sean (yes, Ford again) from a few players as they get to know him pretty well.

That's where doing analysis is tough for me. I don't know the players and the little minutiae. I'd like to be better known around the stadium but it's tough when I'm not there for every game.

Sean McMann went first with a few quick questions, then Sean Ford did his thing - about five minutes of simple, yet interesting questions. The reality is that while Sean (Ford, again) isn't a team employee, he still travels with the team and has to dance a fine line. As such, he's not going to necessarily hold the Gades' proverbial feet to the fire. He's done it well enough to be with the team for ten years.

We walked back out to the field and passed the team as they played catch. Sean McMann went back to the press box, while Sean (yes, Ford for the love of Abner Doubleday) and I returned to the booth. Sean loaded the interview into his laptop for playback, and we began the process of looking for the starting lineups, stat pack, and game notes. These items come in due time, and we're able to review them. Rick Kubitschek, the Director of Media Relations, does a great job of assembling some of the best notes around.

Oh how I WISH such luxuries existed in high school football!

Now we waited for one more thing, perhaps the most important thing: food.

Former Yankee Joe Alvarez heads up the culinary delights, and until somebody can prove to me otherwise, he's got the best product in the New York-Penn League. On Saturday, he served us prime rib, French fries (and good ones, no less), and vegetables. Unfortunately, it sometimes shows up about a half hour or less before game time. That's all well and good, but when you need your mouth to speak into a microphone, you have to eat fast - especially when your pregame show (hosted by me, by the way), begins in fifteen minutes.

Now during this pregame time, which was a little tighter than usual, Sean and I had to troubleshoot tehcnical problems with our board-op, because we couldnt' hear the station in our headset. I took on that task.

Normally we even have more time to wait, and we often spend it by leaning on the rail behind the booth and watching the crowd as they wait to come in.

Again, more waiting. Just not on this night.

With the technical stuff resolved, Sean's PC ready for playback and eventually to record highlights, and the proper drinks set up keep us hydrated, I took to the air to open the broadcast at 6:45. We were off and running.

Oh, and Sean didn't have a headphone splitter, so he didn't have audio in his ears all night. I had to give him cues.

From there it went like any other game. Perhaps we'll go behind the scenes again for the broadcast at another time.

Of course when the game was over, and we went off the air, guess what we did?

We waited. For traffic to clam down.

The All-Star Game is a Joke

There. I've said it. Look at the starters:

AL
Joe Mauer C
Kevin Youkilis 1B (What a joke. Justin Morneau should be here)
Dustin Pedroia 2B (Again. Have you people seen how good Ian Kinsler is?)
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Derek Jeter SS (Might not deserve it. The game is in his House though)
Manny Ramirez LF
Ichiro Suzuki CF
Josh Hamilton RF (GREAT story. More credit should be given)
David Ortiz DH (Doesn't matter. He won't play)

Cliff Lee SP

NL
Geovany Soto C
Lance Berkman 1B
Chase Utley 2B
Chipper Jones 3B
Hanley Ramirez SS
Alfonso Soriano LF (I don't know about this one)
Kosuke Fukudome CF (Um...are you crazy)
Ken Griffey Jr. RF (Wh...wh...WHAT??? He's hitting .242)

Brandon Webb SP

Now the reserves:
AL
Pitchers:
Mariano Rivera (New York)
Scott Kazmir (Tampa Bay)
George Sherill (Baltimore)
Roy Halladay (Toronto)
Jonathan Papelbon (Boston)
Justin Duchscherer (Oakland)
Joe Nathan (Minnesota)
Joakim Soria (Royals)
Francisco Rodriguez (Los Angeles)
Ervin Santana (Los Angeles)
Joe Saunders (Los Angeles)

Reserves:
J.D. Drew (Boston)
Jason Varitek (Boston)
Joe Crede (Chicago)
Carlos Quentin (Chicago)
Grady Sizemore (Cleveland)
Carlos Guillen (Detroit)
Justin Morneau (Minnesota)
Milton Bradley (Texas)
Ian Kinsler (Texas)
Michael Young (Texas)
Dioner Navarro (Tampa Bay)

What the hell is Veritek doing here? Terry Francona and the people who put these reserves together should lose their right to be a part of the game (and I actually LIKE Francona). And has anybody noticed that Mike Mussina has 11 freaking wins?

UPDATE - the players voted for Veritek. Again, what a joke.

NL
Pitchers:
Aaron Cook (Colorado)
Tim Lincecum (San Francisco)
Dan Haren (Arizona)
Ben Sheets (Milwaukee)
Carlos Zambrano (Chicago)
Ryan Dempster (Chicago)
Brian Wilson (San Francisco)
Edinson Volquez (Cincinnati)
Kerry Wood (Chicago)
Brad Lidge (Philadelphia)
Billy Wagner (New York)


Reserves:
Brian McCann (Atlanta)
Aramis Ramirez (Chicago)
Matt Holiday (Colorado)
Dan Uggla (Florida)
Miguel Tejada (Houston)
Russell Martin (Los Angeles)
Nate McLouth (Pittsburgh)
Albert Pujols (St. Louis)
Ryan Ludwick (St. Louis)
Adrian Gonzalez (San Diego)
Cristian Guzman (Washington)

Whatever. Again - the All Star Game is a joke.

Alex Rodriguez tied Mickey Mantle tonight with 536 home runs. His wife will file for divorce tomorrow. Guess we'll need something to talk about since I officially deem the 2008 Yankees as lousy.

I have a pithy, mean-spirited comment. But I won't say it.

Football Radio Musings

Leave it to Sean Patrick Bowley and Tim Parry to have all of the wild and wacky details of broadcast changes in Connecticut football.

Now I have some very pointed opinions about all of this, but they would be inappropriate for me to put here. So I'll leave it at that.

I will, however, add this. WGCH broadcasts every single game of ours on the Internet. SPB didn't mention that, but did give some "love" to SportingNewsCT and MattLevine.net. So be it.

We also used to have talk shows - I had two sports shows at one time, and Ricky Fritsch also did one. Now I have quarreled with people over the fact that we don't have any at this point, but I've given up ramming my head against the wall. I will offer though that when we had those shows, we had amazing guests from all over the sports world. As Sports Director (yep, that's still my title) I was extremely proud of them.

I'm further proud of the people that have worked with me on WGCH since 1998. Sean, Nick, Ricky, Jason, Matt, Zach, Ron, Tom, John, Mark, and on and on. It's an amazing team that has assembled.

One writer once had us in the booth with him for a state championship game. After it was over (Greenwich had lost), the writer - a fairly tough sort - turned to us and complimented us for our very professional broadcast. That's what I like to hear.

The same thing happened a few years later in a booth where two other outlets were calling the same game. Different writers - same result. That's what we have always worked for.

I'm often the lone voice sounding the trumpet for our efforts on WGCH (Tim is great about it as well...he never forgets us). Maybe I'm just not yelling loud enough. Or something like that.

Oh by the way, "The Tailgaters" starts Wednesday at 6:05 PM on the Hudson Valley Radio Network. Sadly not on the Internet...yet.

July 4th at the Stadium

OK, first of all, today is July 5th, so happy birthday to Huey Lewis.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's proceed. The Section Fivers (me, Kris, Mick, Eddie, Steve, and Jeremiah...along with a couple of ladies who are in trouble with us) gathered for an Independence Day blowout. Normally we don't have time for tailgating since we're all coming from work, but since everybody was off and it was a day game, it was time to rock out...

Mick, don't finish that sentence. Let it just sit there in the breeze...

Oh, as for the ladies, Liz and Christine have sat with us for several years and I exchanged emails with Christine about joining us for the frivolity. She was all for it...but then they pulled a no-show for the pregame. Then they sat with somebody else. Then they didn't show for the post-game.

We're beginning deportation procedures as we speak. They will be excommunicated from the good Church of Section Five, High Priest of the Sack of Nuts (that's me) presiding.

Anywho after a quick lunch whipped up by the J-Man (with an assist from Kris, who helped him put the grill together), we headed to the Big Ballpark. But first...

Mick had to ponder a few things. OK then.

More pictures from the day are here.

Oh, I almost forgot. It's quote of the day time! Now parents, hide the kiddies, because this is a BAD LANGUAGE ALERTT!

Phew...that's better. Mick was discussing hot dogs, when he enlightened us with the fact that he doesn't like his dogs with casings. Said Mick:

"I don't that condom shit." Or something like that. I warned them that I'd forget the exact quote, but you get the gist.

The game wasn't very good. The Yankees rocked the Sox early, to the tune of 3-0. Then the walls crashed in. Earlier in the week, upon seeing the pitching matchup, I told Kris and Mick that I didn't like the Bombers chances. Yep, right again. Darrell Rasner needs to work some things out, because he's just not up to it right now. I think all 55,130 people could see Mike Lowell's home run coming from a mile away.

The Yankees just couldn't get it done and have a woeful team. Amazing what $208 million can buy, no?

To make matters worse, the skies opened up in the later innings, and a rain delay stopped things. After hanging around for a bit in the concourse, ostensibly to see if two ladies showed up, we called it a day, and headed out. J-Man, Steve and Eddie had things to do, so Mick, Kris and I joined the lovely Gretchen (Mick's wife and, sadly, a Sox fan - the only thing wrong with her) for a post-game dinner. That dinner was held at a particular establishment where attractive ladies wear "dolphin" shorts and may perhaps flirt incessantly. They might also put on a talent show, which would have all been fine if we didn't all have headaches.

Kris and I headed for home after dinner and upon our return to Carmel, discovered that Mick's phone was sitting in his back seat. Yo Mick! How are we going to get it back to you?

Happy Birthday, America!

Oniontown Ouch!

My late grandmother lived in Dover Plains, NY for the final years of her life. Obviously we made countless to visits to see her, and my aunt, uncle and cousins - all of whom lived there as well. Not too far away was this strange land known as "Oniontown." The legend of Oniontown seemed too scary to be true.

"Don't go in there", I'd get told by everyone. "You might not come out alive."

Oh, OK. And that's because the Loch Ness Monster, Abominable Snowman, and Charles Manson all live in there?

Well sort of.

Anyway, the legend persisted. Of course, the truth was somewhere in the middle. So I'd drive right on by on New York route 22, always chuckling to myself about the stories, and telling strangers to the area.

It seems there's been some YouTube foolery mocking the O-towners, and they're not too happy about it. Then again, they have computers back there? I was always led to believe that they didn't have TV, power, and teeth.

Again, whatever. Let's carry on here.

So a couple of upstanding youngsters (that is, they're idiots) from my beloved hometown of Mahopac decided to take a drive in. The Journal News wrote the story, and a Google search reveals that many others (USA Today) are picking up on it as well.

Oniontown gets some pub. Probably not what they wanted.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

I was just talking with somebody about the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel the other day. For those who have never driven it, it is an amazing ride. Sadly, the drive to reach it southbound on the Delmarva Peninsula can be rather...um...boring. Still the payoff is worth it - 17.6 miles out in the middle of the water, with two tunnels thrown in for good measure.

Freeway Jim and Son put together a top-quality video of the drive across the CBBT, which has a $12 toll. I've been across the CBBT three times - once in the 70's, in 1986, and I drove it myself in 2001. Each time, we couldn't resist the appeal of stopping to use the facilities. There's something cool about stopping for a drink, bathroom, and souvenir break in the middle of a bridge (and tunnel).



This is one of three bridge-tunnels in the "Hampton Roads" area (including Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Newport News and Chesapeake), but the CBBT is the granddaddy of them all (and also the only one with a toll).

The New York-Penn League Needs Your Help!

For reasons that only they understand, the New York-Penn League is changing their logo. They accepted designs from far and wide, and have narrowed it down to the final five. Now we, the unassuming baseball public, get to vote for the winner.

So vote here.

It seems that number one is in the lead. That one is nice, but I tend to favor old-school stuff, so I voted for number five.

This, by the way, is the league that the Renegades play in. And I'd rather talk about this than the pathetic Yankees.

There Are Worse Things They Could Be Doing

"If you build it, he will come."

You know the quote, from "Field of Dreams", as Ray Kinsella bulldozes his crop to build a baseball field. The field reunites Ray with his deceased dad, and millions of men blubber like little boys.

In Greenwich, some enterprising teens build a Wiffle ball field on a vacant lot near Greenwich High School. It's a small-scale replica of Fenway Park, but of course, adults have to try to spoil the fun.

Read the story from the Greenwich Time here.

Let the kids play. They're not really doing any harm, and they probably should be commended for doing something constructive. Haysooz Cristo, don't we all get on kids for being inside and playing video games too much?

God I LOVE hypocrisy!

NIMBY's. Don't you just love them?

Boys, I love the idea of this field. I'll come visit anytime.

There's other news in the Time to discuss, but I like my job. So that's that.

Oh, and that picture up top? That's me in 1977, holding...what else?...a Wiffle ball bat.

New Huey Lewis Song!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Perhaps I could add just a few more exclamation points. Thanks to my personal hero, Sean "Keith Moon" Kilkelly, I now know that the title track for the movie Pineapple Express can be found and I'm listening to it right now. A little ol' band named Huey Lewis and the News are the ones performing.

Cue Johnny Colla's sax solo!!

You can hear it on this MySpace page.

This alone will make me see the movie.

The ghost of Marty McFly rises!