Postcard from New York

by The Limey on Jul 7, 2007 10:58 AM PDT

A few thoughts on last night's game (and the East coast in general):

Bart's done - turn off the grill, dish him up and feed him to the vultures (or at least get some kind of trade value out of him)
How good is Orlando Cabrera? My opening bid is "extremely"
There isn't a more dispiriting announcement you can hear in a ball park than "and now, coming in to pitch for the Angels, Darren Oliver"
The Yankee fans were actually pretty awesome - two old fellas on my right, probably 130 years between them, who absolutely insisted that Mantle would have hit 80 HRs in todays "tiny ball parks". Younger guy behind me couldn't say enough good things about the Angels glovework and who insisted on calling me 'Wally' all night (which I really didn't mind at all)
The Yankees fans need to come up with a chant other than "Boston sucks". After hearing it for the 485th time on the platform waiting for the D train, I'd had enough...
Disappointed to see Vlad have a slow night - really wanted to see him at his best.
After waiting 16 years to watch the Angels play live (and the first time on the road), 9 runs is a fair return - 23 runs in a game is more than we deserved, a 14-9 loss somewhat less so
I still don't like the red jerseys, not only are they ugly, they now count as unlucky
On the plus side, The Kiwi loved her first baseball experience - I may get her to agree to a visit to Cooperstown after all
On the downside, after one of the old boys sitting next to us gave her his Yankees drinks holder and peanuts, she's considering a life as a Yankees fan - remedial work needs to be done today
After a week in New England, I've come to really dislike Red Sox fans - there's 1000s of the buggers and they are relentlessly one-eyed
New Yorkers shouldn't be allowed to drive cars, it's outwith their basic skill set (at the very least they should have the horns removed)
Yankee stadium is a great place to watch a ball game - they know how to generate an atmosphere
There are too many fat kids in this country - I'm not blaming, I'm observing and hoping enough others make the same observation and stop feeding them crap
I'd love to have seen Scoscia find a way of stopping the rot yesterday - when you see 5 pitchers on the box score, including Oliver, Bootcheck, Moseley.. you know it was a tough night on the mound.

That's about it, will go a get a beer and settle in for game 2... should be a classic pitching match-up.

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

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...and they are relentlessly one-eyed...

pure poetry!

by Rev Halofan on Jul 7, 2007 11:22 AM PDT reply actions

Oliver's record

lately has been getting better. 3.24 ERA in June; also, .207/.309/.207 against righties. It's lefties, oddly, who give him fits, .417/.446/.708

Ervin Santana To AAA! (But only for road games.)

by scareduck on Jul 7, 2007 11:31 AM PDT reply actions

Granted, he's getting better...

...but hearing his name announced after only 6 outs doesn't bode well for your evening.

by The Limey on Jul 8, 2007 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Beautiful

by mattwelch on Jul 7, 2007 12:38 PM PDT reply actions

#12

Lat time I was in NYC some crazy bitch t-boned me doing about 50 mph on Park Ave, totalling my car. I've since left the east coast and have vowed to never return to that shit hole city.

Get well soon Kotch.

by ReggieBullits on Jul 7, 2007 12:40 PM PDT reply actions

so is it

that the only stupid and ignorant yankee fans live in southern california then?

by Sorbo182 on Jul 7, 2007 2:48 PM PDT reply actions

Haven't really met one yet.

To be honest Yankees fans have always been class acts around me... which kind of makes me feel bad for rooting against them so hard in 2001 WS.

The last world series champion in California has "Anaheim" written next to their name.

by Anaheim of Anaheim on Jul 8, 2007 1:33 AM PDT up reply actions

Local

There sure are plenty here in the NYC area. The biggest thing is they just think they are entitled to be in the playoffs and favored every year (which you can understand).

You just know Yankee stadium would be half empty if they were not so good for a couple of years.

by elricsi on Jul 8, 2007 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions

you're right about the attendance

Even up till 1998 (after having won a world series) I could go to a mid-weelk game and be surrounded by about 13,000 die hard fans. The echo was tremendous. As long as they stay competitive and with the new stadium ready in 09, the bandwagoners will stay on board.

Feels like the 1970's all over again. <sigh>

by Moondoggy on Jul 9, 2007 2:44 AM PDT up reply actions

and this...

quote: "The Yankee fans were actually pretty awesome - two old fellas on my right, probably 130 years between them, who absolutely insisted that Mantle would have hit 80 HRs in todays "tiny ball parks". Younger guy behind me couldn't say enough good things about the Angels glovework and who insisted on calling me 'Wally' all night (which I really didn't mind at all)"

Could perhaps be the most awesome thing that there ever was.

by shiftyeyedgoat on Jul 7, 2007 3:01 PM PDT reply actions

Great observations Limey

So when are you back in Blighty? Are you on a baseball-watching rampage over there? ... freaking shivering in Scotland here but hey I won £23 at the bookies today on the 13-inning 2-1 nailbiter.

Slainte!

Don't call me Desmond

by highlandhalo on Jul 7, 2007 6:16 PM PDT reply actions

Another week or so... then back to work

Just a couple of games, though with a trip to Cooperstown scheduled (hopefully). We stop in Albany on the way to Toronto, so I think it should be possible.

Watched a game in the Cape Cod summer league last week Falmouth Commodores against some other team much better than them.

Saw 1 pitcher dish out 3 consecutive walks, nail the next guy in the hip and then serve up a 3 run double. So if you ever see the name of Sam Alam (out of Notre Dame) on an Angels roster then weep, for all is lost. He entered the game with an ERA of 14 and managed to make it worse.

Struggled for tickets in Boston and I don't think the Blue-Jays are at home while we're in town. So it may just be the game the other night from a major league perspective.

by The Limey on Jul 8, 2007 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Toronto

It's my dream to one day see a Blue Jay game from a hotel room overlooking the field.

Maybe you can at least stay at that hotel and see what the field looks like from there.

by elricsi on Jul 9, 2007 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks for sharing

I can only imagine how much fun you're having after waiting so long to see a live game. I went to Yankees Stadium and Fenway in September of 2003 and had a great time. I've been to many parks (I also saw a Cape Cod game some 17 years ago) and the history and passion of those two venues are second to none. I went to Coors Field on Friday, my second time. It's a very nice park with lots of places to party nearby (LoDo district). Anyway, enjoy the States and your baseball holiday.

by Johnny Angel on Jul 9, 2007 10:59 AM PDT reply actions