Time Begins On Opening Day (1 Viewer)

[jazzeum]

The baseball season starts tonight although for me it begins tomorrow in Florida when the Mets take on the Marlins.

This season can't come soon enough as we are now in the wasteland of sport: basketball, hockey and a dreary Final Four.

Final Four? Here's the only final four that matters, the teams playing for the pennants in October:

American League

Boston vs. Detroit

National League

Mets v. Diamondbacks

Last call for the cathedral of sports, the House that Ruth Built. I've seen many a good game there and will miss it. Have fond memories of those doubleheaders, a relic of an age where money wasn't king (or so it seemed to a wayward youth).

Will also miss Shea. Yes, a terrible stadium but a place where I spent many a day in the 60s watching the Amazings. Hard to let go of your youth.

 

[evilchuck]

Can't Wait,lets Go Mets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Warrior]

Brad,
I like your style, Red Sox vs Tigers in the ALCS, from your lips to Gods ears.

Double headers; a thing of the past I'm afraid. Remember day games in the World Series; now the games start close to 9:00PM EST; and they wonder why kids aren't into baseball anymore.............

 

[chiefs70]

I could go for your prediction, Brad. I am a KC Royals fan first and foremost - we took out Detroit today, who knew? - but I've been a Red Sox fan since I was 9 years old as they were the only other team that hated the Yankees as much as the Royals. My Boys in Blue have some great history with NY and I hope we can get back to that level but either way - baseball season is the sign that God has not forsaken us and winter is over!

 

[eborris]

The Nationals and Royals are both in first place, enjoy it while it lasts, I'm sure their stays will be short.

 

[chiefs70]

The Nationals and Royals are both in first place, enjoy it while it lasts, I'm sure their stays will be short.

I'm sure it will but that is life for a Royals fan these days. I still love my team and act like a kid again when I run into the figures of the glory days of Royals' baseball - George Brett, Frank White - and love the glow on my son's face when he meets Alex Gordon or Mark Teahen. We love our guys and the certainly treat us kindly when we bump into them. Considering the way some athletes are these days I'll take it.

However, I would like to see the playoffs again.

What are your favorite teams, eborris? Do you like their chances this year?

 

[eborris]

I'm a White Sox and Atlanta Braves fan, I have no high hopes for either.

 

[Warrior]

Chiefs, you've been through a lot as a Royals fan; the heartbreak of three strait ALCS losses to the Yankees in 76, 77 and 78, finally breaking through and losing to the Phillies in the WS (Tug McGraw heaving his glove up in the air as they recorded the final out), to finally winning the thing vs the Cardinals.

You've had some lean times since, a true fan you are..........

 

[gk5717]

The Royals only beat theCardinals because of Denkingers missed call!!
Gary

 

[Louis Badolato]

The Royals only beat theCardinals because of Denkingers missed call!!
Gary

Worst call in the history of sports. That Umpire should have been turned over to the Cardinals fans for summary execution.

 

[jazzeum]

Looks like the Mets season took a hit: Pedro grabbed his hamstring and limped off the field. I'm sure he'll be out for awhile. Great, just great

 

[eborris]

Well, you could always switch and be a Yankees fan.

 

[Rob]

Looks like the Mets season took a hit: Pedro grabbed his hamstring and limped off the field. I'm sure he'll be out for awhile. Great, just great

Brad,as i am total Baseball novice could you tell me the different areas the Mets and the Yankees come from in New York?

Rob

 

[jazzeum]

Rob,

The Mets play in the National League and the Yankees in the American League. The Yankees play in the Bronx, a borough of NY and the Mets play in Queens, also another borough of NY.

Until 1957 NY had three teams: the Yankees (perennial World Series winners), the Dodgers (who played in Brooklyn and usual antagonists to the Yankees in the World Series in the late 40s and 50s) and the Giants (who played in Manhattan and who won the World Series in 1954 and lost to the Yankees in 1951).

In 1957 the Dodgers decided to move to Los Angeles and the Giants followed them to San Francisco.

In 1962 baseball expanded and the Mets were created because NY had traditionally been a big National League town. If you look at the Mets cap, it's Dodger blue and the NY symbol is the old Giants symbol, to show their legacy.

Right now, it's a Yankee town but these things are cyclical. In the 80s NY was a Mets town when the Mets were good and the Yankees not and the Mets are rising to prominence again so they're trying to challenge the Yankees to be kings of NY. It's a great time to be a NY baseball fan.

 

[Rob]

Excellant thank you Brad,that explains a lot.I checked out the Mets shop last night,they have some cool shirts on there,good for knocking around the house in.

Rob

 

[Capitolron]

Gentlemen

It has been a wonderful week for NATIONALS FANS !!

I first watched the first (not regular season) game at our new stadium with the Orioles - great win.

Then I was at OPENING DAY ! What a great game - Zimmerman Home Run inthe 10th for the WIN

And a little road trip to Philly to catch their OPENING DAY - only to watch that POWERHOUSE - The Nats - crush Philly at home and on Opening Day ! - I was Lucky to get out there alive

Yes, Yes - NATIONALS - NL EAST LEADERS

 

[chiefs70]

The Royals only beat theCardinals because of Denkingers missed call!!
Gary

I won't argue it was a horrible call but it doesn't explain getting rocked 11-0 the next game with your ace on the mound.

I was 14 at the time and the most vivid memory to me was Joaquin Andujar melting down. My dad looked at me and said if I ever threw a fit like that when it wasn't working out an ejection from the game would be the worst of my problems. I had a few of frustrating moments in my baseball career (amteur, never a pro) and game 7 always flashed back into my mind.

Don't be too hard on the Royals, Gary. After all, it has been all down hill for us ever since between the death of our manager soon after, the passing of our beloved owner and philanthropist Mr. Kaufmann and the debacle that has been the primary characteristic of the organization until recently. You could also consider Albert Puljols a bit of recompense. After all, he played right here in Kansas City and the egghead scouts and player development personnel never had a clue the type of player he was - karma perhaps.

Good luck to your Redbirds, Gary. I always enjoy the interleague series when they come to town. Cardinal fans are great folks and give it as good as they take it when we share a few beers and brats in the parking lot before the game.

Eric

 

[gk5717]

Eric, just busting your ----! Andujar did loose it in the 7th game, no doubt about it.
To be honest, I was a St Louis police officer assigned to the downtown area in the 80,s and after working the celebrations that occurred after winning the 82 series and winning the National League pennant in 85 and 87, I wanted the Cardinals to loose. Didn,t want to suffer thru a series celebration!
Gary

 

[chiefs70]

Eric, just busting your ----! Andujar did loose it in the 7th game, no doubt about it.
To be honest, I was a St Louis police officer assigned to the downtown area in the 80,s and after working the celebrations that occurred after winning the 82 series and winning the National League pennant in 85 and 87, I wanted the Cardinals to loose. Didn,t want to suffer thru a series celebration!
Gary

Oh boy, I can imagine! We here in Lawrence, KS see a fair bit of celebration after KU making several Final Fours the last 6 years and I am sure it is pure bedlam in St. Louis. Fortunately, Lawrence is a mellow hippy town so the police have it pretty easy in the opinion of my friends on the force - lots of beer drinking and trash but no real trouble.

I come from a family with more than a few lawmen so much respect to you, my friend. You do a great service for us all - aside from the Cardinal fan detail.