Left Field Sucks!

My most memorable time in baseball was when I was in JUCO. We had a preseason game against USC at Dedeaux Field. We obviously got whooped, but it was a great experience facing a pitcher who we all knew would be a high first round pick in 2001 (if not the first pick. He went 2nd overall to CHN). The ball was electric as it was released from his hand. I took the first pitch for a strike, then fouled back the second, then flew out to RF on a Changeup. It was a great experience. The pitcher was Mark Prior.

It’s hard to compete with watching a Lincecum start in the left field bleachers. I’ve probably made it to 5 or 6 of them and its never let me down. I was at the game against the Pirates where Lincecum struck out 15, that was a lot of fun.
But an awesome sporting event that not many people have heard about is the Lehigh-Lafayette football game. It’s actually the oldest college football rivalry but because both schools play D1-AA the game flies under the radar. I’m currently a freshman at Lehigh University, and last weekend was the 145th Lehigh-Lafayette game. For the most part, people don’t care all that much about our football games because we’re not that good, but everyone takes this game seriously. People get trashed Friday night, wake up early saturday morning to go to frat houses for morning cocktails, then go to the stadium for tailgates. There was 16,000 people at the game (a lot considering only 4,800 people attend Lehigh.) We won the game 27-21 in overtime, ending the game with an interception. We all stormed the field and started chanting “Fuck Lafayette.” Probably the most fun I’ve ever had at a sporting event

Last summer me and a couple friends were talking about getting tickets for that night’s Giants game. Sanchez was on the hill. However, we all decided we’d rather go to the next day’s game because Cain would be pitching and we would rather watch Cain pitch than Sanchez. Of course, Sanchez went on to throw a no-hitter. Needless to say, my friends and I regretted our decision. I think its safe to say if I went to that game that would have been my best sports memory

the night after 756….

so close, but technically I still got to see him beat the record.

the night after 756….

so close, but technically I still got to see him beat the record.

seeing Barry hit 757

Game 3 of the 2002 World Series. The Giants lost and Livan got pounded, but I saw Barry Bonds hit a World Series home run at AT&T park. Nothing beats that.

Also, this was a really great post! I also live in a large Triple-A city (Columbus) with a strong minor league presence, and while it isn’t Omaha, it’s still fun!

Teddy Ball Game, Willy Mays, Pedro striking out everybody and their mother. Would have been better if Barry wasn’t out for that game (our only rep was JeffKent). Great moment though. The home run derby the night before was awesome as well.

At heart, though, it’s a place where go on hay-rack rides on Friday nights

OK, too much pandering to the preconceptions of the audience.

The rest was OK, though. Except for the not watching the Huskers part.

I was on the little league team that made a good run at making it to Williamsport. We were eliminated 6 wins short, but spending the majority of a summer traveling around the region with my dad (who was the coach) and many of my best friends is something that I’ll always cherish.

There are countless memories from that summer but some of the highlights include:

-Hitting the game winning, 2RBI, double with two out in the top of the 6th (last inning in little league) in the very first game that we played. Final score, 2-1.

-Watching a teammate hit a walk-off grand slam to win an elimination game 12-11 after I had just struck out. The instant transition from heartbreak to euphoria was one of the most powerful emotional experiences of my life and I still get choked up thinking about rushing the field and the dog pile at home plate.

-The helpless feeling of being the “mop up” guy in the game where we were eliminated. We were down 13-0 and about to get 10 run ruled. They were obviously better, we knew it after the first inning. It was just a matter of time.

and of course hours of laughter in cars and hotels with teammates.

I wanna see a show at Sokol Underground.

Game 7 of the 2002 World Series. I had tix in the Diamond Club section. I started chatting with a fellow Giant fan who thought it was ironic that they were trying to pump up the SoCal fans with Metallica. Five minutes before the game, the same fan walks up to me & tells me that Willie Mays is signing autographs (even has his own pen on the table) in the restaurant. I grab my game ticket (the only paper I have) and rush in to get a look. If I’m guessing correct, the table had Willie, his wife, son & his son’s wife/girlfriend.

I hover at the bread section waiting for a good moment to interrupt the conversation at the table (unlike about 10 idiot Angel fans who thrust memorabilia in Willie’s face as he’s listening to somebody else or taking a drink). I finally get a good moment and approach the table. “Excuse me, Mr Mays, can I have your autograph?” The exact same question (and probably voice) I asked him when I was 12 years old at a card show/autograph signing. Willie just takes the ticket and starts to sign when Mrs Mays says “That’s a nice jacket” (my vintage NY Giants jacket circa 1930s). Everybody at the table looks at me and we have about a 3 minute conversation on whether Willie ever wore that jacket.

After that, couldn’t really complain about the outcome of the game.

I’ve had a few fun times at baseball parks.

Non Giant related:
2008 Worlds Series- Game 5 (both of them) was one of the most electric experiences I have ever experience
2009 World Series- Was one of the most sullen experiences I have ever experienced
2005ish- Me and a bunch of college buddies (Red Sox fans) traveled to Baltimore to watch the Sox play. That is a great ballpark

Giants related:

Seeing BLB get 3 HR and the single season record against the Dodgers
The 2002 WS, I love watching the Giants in the WS (Win or lose)
Riding the Ferry from Larksburg to and from the game, truly is a joy.
Getting a Rod Beck autograph as a young teen.

It was awesome. If you are talking sporting experience aside from the competition that would top my list.

I can’t compare the park city venue to anything else since it is the only bobsled venue I’ve been to, but there were a few things that made it very cool. First when you enter the venue you cross over a wooden foot bridge that spans the exit straightaway leaving the bottom turn. That is the point on the track where the sleds are going the fastest speeds can exceed 80 MPH. So you’ve got about 1,200 pounds going 80 Mph right under your feet as you walk in. As the sleds approach there is a low rumble like thunder in the distance, then the bridge starts to shake. Then all the crazy, drunk swiss people start banging their cowbells. And these are GIGANTIC cowbells. Then this bolt of lightning flies through the bottom turn and under your feet. And that’s just the first five minutes there.

unfortunately I have not been to a post season game, so mine may pale in comparrison to some of the preceding posts, but I was at Dravecky’s first game back and his standing ovation was pretty cool. Also The boards namesakes final game at Dodger Stadium he got a pretty awesome ovation, which was nice coming from the slimey Dodger fans.

Swing line drive base hit right field. Bell, rounding third, the throw home …. IS OFF LINE! The Giants are the champions of the west!