Baseball Memories... [Archive] - RonFez.net Messageboard

Tenbatsuzen

07-31-2006, 07:00 PM

OK, this should be a simple enough and interesting thread: What was your first baseball game that you can remember? What was your most memorable in-person baseball experience? What ballparks have you visited? What, if any, minor league teams have you seen? Me: The first baseball game I can remember being at was Game 2 of the 1981 World Series, Yankees vs. Dodgers.  I remember that we were on the third base side in the outfield.  I don't remember the game itself that much (Baseball Almanac says that the Yankees won) but I do remember chatting with the gentlemen who sat behind our family.  He was a guy in his mid-20's, there with his wife/girlfriend, and his name was Tony.  In my very young mind, I found Tony to be incredibly entertaining, because I quite honestly think that was my first interaction with someone who was Italian. My most MEMORABLE baseball experience was Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.  Yes.  I was there.  We had gotten the tickets from the contractor who had built the deck on our house, and he couldn't make the game due to a wedding.  We sat on the first base side for this game in box seats, in the cold air on a Saturday night.I remember - to this day - my father wanting to leave to beat the traffic as the game had gone into extra innings, and the Red Sox were now winning, and I was all but begging him to stay.  I'm not sure why; I was a Yankees fan so I didn't want to see Boston win the f'n title, for God's sake, but... I dunno. Good game.  I still remember my mother lamenting Buckner on the ride home. Ballparks I've been to - The Vet, Citizen's Bank Ball Park (not for a game, but considering the nice sight lines, I'll be back), Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium, Fenway Park, and The BOB (aka Chase Field). I've seen both Trenton Thunder and Somerset PAtriots games locally.

fiestygal

07-31-2006, 07:04 PM

my first game obviously was a Phillies game since i am from the area but my most memorable one was when i was at fenway ..although i was behind the jumbo tron it was an awesome experience being in that park and boston

TheGameHHH

07-31-2006, 07:26 PM

My first game was most definately a Mets game, I was too young to even remember anything about the game. My most memorable game was easily Game 1 of the 1996 World Series. The Yanks got smoked, Andruw Jones hit two bombs in that game and he was 18 at the time. I've only been to Yankee Stadium and Shea, but I'm going down to Camden Yards this weekend to see the 3rd game of the Yanks/O's series. As far as minor league parks, I've seen the NJ Cardnials and the Peidmont Bullwevoles.

Fallon

07-31-2006, 07:29 PM

Only ML park I've been to is Fenway. Nothing cool ever happend really. Saw John Valentin get an unassisted triple play, that was neat.

ADF

07-31-2006, 07:35 PM

My first game was the Mariners versus the Orioles.  I don't remember what year, I was probably in fifth grade or so.  All I remember about it is that the Orioles won and I got some cheap baseball with a Mariners logo on it.My most memorable game would be Yankees versus the ChiSox three or four years ago where I caught a fly ball.  Actually, it came rolling to me and the dad behind me chastised his son for missing it.  I later got it signed by Yogi, who asked who hit it.  The name currently escapes me.Aside from the aforementioned stadiums, I've seen games in Baltimore, Boston, Philly, and Queens.  I'm a Dodgers fan, but I've never been to Chavez Ravine. I've never been to a minor league game.

PapaBear

07-31-2006, 07:35 PM

I've nver been much of a baseball fan, and have never been to a Major League game, but I used to love going to see our local NCAA santioned minor league team, when I was a teen. They made if fun by winning a lot (13 chamionships between '79 and '04).As for Major League memories... I bought a lot of Reggie Bars after he hit the 3 homers off 3 pitchers, way back when.

badorties

07-31-2006, 07:36 PM

the first game i can remember was an early 80s weeknite -- willie randolf shirt nite at the stadium ... i was five/six ... my parents were freshly divorced, and my dad had tickets from his boss ... my mom dropped me off at his job, and i was told not to mention anything about divorce or alcoholism in front of the co-workers ... we got to the game in the second inning because we got lost in the subway station with my pop screaming something about vows, attorneys and giving mw shit for not picking to live with him ... when we finally got to the stadium, he stayed with me for a half inning, and left me alone with my willie randolf shirt for a couple of innings -- he reurned a bit tipsier and more belligerent ... the rest of the nite was a blurin no real particular order: mattingly's only post-season HR (95 alds) ... gooden's no hitter ... yanks clinching the division in 1996 against the tigers ... game 2 of the 1998 WS ... game 7 of the 2003 alcs (boone's HR) ... jeter's first grand slam against the cubs last yearthe coolest/dorkiest game was on my 30th birthday, a surprise party against tampa -- my entire family waiting for me at the seats (there's rarely ever a game on my birthday, all star break) ... i even got my name on the jumbo screendozens of games at the stadium & shea ... i've seen: the yanks spank the sox at fenway ...the marlins at wrigley ... the dodgers at petco park ... the mets in montreal ... and the yankess get embarrassed in clevelandi've been to a dozen cyclone games, a handful of the harrsburg expo team, a few in staten island and some class a red sox team in CT

Tall_James

07-31-2006, 07:36 PM

What was your first baseball game that you can remember?It was a Mets vs Cardinals game at Shea in the late 60's.  I went with my Dad and brother and I remember Tom Seaver was pitching.  I also remember as a kid cutting out the coupons on the back of milk cartons for bleacher seats at Shea.What was your most memorable in-person baseball experience?When I sat right behind home plate for "Willie Mays Appreciation Night" at Shea on September 23, 1973.What ballparks have you visited?Shea Stadium, Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Turner Field in Atlanta, Edison Field in Anaheim, US Cellular Field in Chicago, Camden Yards in Baltimore and the old Municipal Field in Cleveland.What, if any, minor league teams have you seen?I plan on going to see the Pawtucket Red Sox soon.  I have been to see the Cape Cod Baseball League and enjoyed every minute of it.

FUNKMAN

07-31-2006, 07:44 PM

1st baseball game as far as i can remember was Yankee Stadium and we ate in the Clubhouse? (restaurant inside the stadium). I had to be 6 or 7.Took a high school friend Loreitha to a Yankee game. We had approx 12th row right behind the batters circle. When Rick Cerone was in the circle there was a guy in the 7th/8th row who was yelling at, cursing at, and calling Rick Cerone a dog and that he sucked. I couldn't believe Rick just had to take that shit.Went to a Yankee/Red Sox playoff game maybe 6 or 7 years ago. We were in nosebleed seats between 3rd and home. I couldn't believe how steep the steps were and i was just waiting for someone that was drunk to take a tumble. Sat there cramped up for 3 1/2 hours and it was only the 8th inning. We were right at the level of the loudspeaker located in the outfield and they would play something pretty much between each play/pitch and it was fucking torture. The treble had to be set to max and if anything could be described as BLARING it was that. Then someone behind us accidentally stepped on a mustard packet, NICE. I couldn't wait to get the fuck out of there.

Jennitalia

07-31-2006, 07:53 PM

What was your first baseball game that you can remember?I really started following the Yankees during Mattingly's first year.  My first memory was in 1984, last game of the season.  Mattingly and Winfield were head to head in the batting average race.  It was really exciting, as Don won it by just a few percentage numbers in his very last at bad.  I remember they shook hands when it was all said and done.   That was the beginning of my ongoing crush of Donnie.What was your most memorable in-person baseball experience?Top two for me were: waiting at the gates after the ball game, and seeing Mattingly walk out.  Oh, how I loved him; the 96 playoff game between the orioles and yankees, where Jeffrey Maier caught the ball, and Bernie went boom in the 11th.  That was my first playoff game and I had the best time ever.What ballparks have you visited?Shea, Yankee Stadium and RFK.  My guy has been to several:  Toronto, San Diego, SF, Seatle, Boston, Baltimore, Montreal.  We plan on visiting Chicago and Milwaukee and maybe St Louis next yearWhat, if any, minor league teams have you seen?I went to my first minor league game over the weekend, SI Yankees at  Brooklyn Cyclones.  The cyclones won in 10.  Fun experienceOn a personal note, I'm very excited that my cousin received a full scholarship to start on the Georgetown baseball team this coming year.  He's a very talented kid and has a great shot at making it.

A.J.

08-01-2006, 04:21 AM

What was your first baseball game that you can remember?Yankee Stadium 1976 or 1977 I think.  Catfish pitched.What was your most memorable in-person baseball experience?When I was at Fenway and got an autograph from a rookie named Wade Boggs.What ballparks have you visited?Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Camden Yards and RFK.What, if any, minor league teams have you seen?West Haven Whitecaps (A's), Waterbury Reds, New Britain Red Sox, and the Prince William Cannons.  Jennitalia wrote:  On a personal note, I'm very excited that my cousin received a full scholarship to start on the Georgetown baseball team this coming year.  He's a very talented kid and has a great shot at making it.That's really cool.  He's going to a great school in a fun part of town.

flavopop

08-01-2006, 04:39 AM

Most memorable moment was.... 1977 when the Yanks clinched the Pennent against KC.  We were sitting in the right field seats about 5 rows off the field and some 4oo lb drunken animal led the charge onto the field over the wall.  I was 12, my brother says meet me at the bat (if you been to the House that Ruth built you know the BAT outside) in an hour. Nice supervision huh?..lol  Anywho, I climb over the fence but my fat ass sister is too sloth like to get over the wall.  We have to go over to the side in right field (foul territory ) where the fence slopes down so she can get her giant saddlebags onto the field.  From there, I ditch her and run wild!  I scoop up Infield dirt in my Souvenir Cup (which I still have both)  and take a little square of grass which i also put in the cup.  Good times, I was walking on air.  This was when you could run on the field and not get beaten and or maced by a cop on a horse.  Ive been to Yankee Stadium, Shea, Fenway (hate the Saux but DIG Fenway Park, great place to visit), The Old Vet in Philly, Camden, Wrigley, and the Astrodome (whata dump).Ive seen Newark Bears, NJ Jackles and Trenton Thunder in Minor league Ball.Man I loves me some Baseball....SEEEEYAAAAA

LongIslandRob

08-01-2006, 05:03 AM

1st game:  Mets v Dodgers(circa 1976).  The only reason I remember it was v. the dodgers was because I asked my dad, why there were so many Dodger fans, and he said that they were fans of the brooklyn dodgers who still rooted for them.Best Memory:  2000.  When the Mets scored 10 runs to make an unbelievable comeback vs. the braves.  It was right in the middle of the whole John Rocker scandal.  It was capped by a line drive Piazza shot that just cleard the wall.  It happened I believe in the 8th inning and the only reason I stayed was because it was fireworks night.   Honarable Mention:  I was also at the game where Ventura hit the walk-off grand slam against the Braves in the 1999 LCS.  Only been to yankee and Shea stadiums.

Ogre

08-01-2006, 05:11 AM

First Game was game 1 of 1979 world series.  John Candeleria gave up 5 in the 1st and the O's held on 5-4. They eventually lost to the Pirates in 7 after being up 3-1.  Memorial Stadium.  We sat in the locally famous upper deck section over the first base line, where Wild Bill Hagey used to lead the "Gimmie and O..Gimmie and R.." He did this for the Colts too but it was a much shorter cheer.  I also went and saw a young, much skinnier Barry Bonds play for the Prince William Pirates (A) here in the mid 80's.  Bonillia was on that team too.  I would love to take in a game at Wrigley, Yankee Stadium,  Fenway and Chavez Ravine before I kick the bucket.  I drank with Brooks Robinson at a Hotel Bar near the O's Fantasy Camp, he was pretty cool. 

MHasegawa

08-01-2006, 06:55 AM

1st game- A's and Jays at the Coloseum summer of '88, A's were on their way to the series. Parks ive been to- Oakland Coloseum and Shea, both are very loud but oaklands noise is from the fans and shea is from the airplanes, ill be visiting Yankee stadium in september. Only minor team ive seen were the NJ Jackals. This wasnt brought up by Tenbats but I really miss the game of the week on NBC, i cant take this horseshit on fox anymore.

ThisIsCharlie

08-01-2006, 07:19 AM

First baseball game - Mets 1974 (6 years old) against I don't know who.  I remeber sleeping and then as you can first see Shea Stadium while driving on the Grand Central Parkway my Dad woke me up to have me see the park.  I was so excited I puked immediately.  Luckily I only puked on the removable seat cover that we had on the back seat.  My Dad was real cool, just acted like it was no big deal and took the cover and threw it by the side of the road.  Whenever we would go to a game after that (about 3 times a years for the next 6 or 7 years) he would show where the cushion should have been.Most exciting game was about 3 years later when Joel Youngblood won a game in the bottom of the ninth witha grand slam home run.  Stuff like that never happened for the Mets in the Mid to late 70s.I was also at the game where Jeter became Mr. November for hitting a home run in the bottom of the 9th or 10th to win game 5 of the series against Arizona.  One final baseball memeory.  It was on the way to a Mets game, probably when I was 7, that my Dad told me it was OK to pee on the side of the road.  Right over the Kosciusko Bridge, 1st exit, make two rights on to the little dead end.  I know it sounds dumb but when your cop father tells you you can pee outside if you have to it seemed so cool to be breaking a rule like that.

Crippler

08-01-2006, 08:03 AM

What was your first baseball game that you can remember?Game 3 of the 1981 World Series, the Graig Nettles game.  I was instantly a fan, a 3rd baseman for life, and obsessed with the number 9.What was your most memorable in-person baseball experience?So many great ones...<ul><li>Don Mattingly Day in '97 in the LF bleachers.</li><li>The Chuck Knoblauch bubble-gum game in the '98 ALCS, I was horse for two days after screaming "PICK UP THE FUCKIN BALL!!" from the RF bleachers.</li><li>"Bernie Goes Boom" - my pal took me to game 1 of the '96 ALCS, we sat behind the Yankee dugout, but up with God, and when that little boy reached out & took that ball away from Tony Tarasco we didn't know what happened until the rest of the stands erupted, but when Randy Myers delivered the 1-1 pitch we had a great view of Bernie's bomb headed for the upper deck in LF.</li><li>But probably the one I'll cherish the most is attending my first World Series game with my Dad.  Game 3 in '99, Chad Curtis' walk off HR. <div /></li></ul>What ballparks have you visited?<ul><li>Yankee Stadium <div /></li><li>Shea Stadium <div /></li><li>US Cellular in Chi-town <div /></li><li>Turner in Atlanta <div /></li><li>Camden Yards <div /></li><li>The old Vet in Philly <div /></li><li>Joe Robbie/Pro Player/Dolphins Stadium in Miami <div /></li><li>RFK in DC to see the Nats last year</li><li><div>Busch (how could I forget this...did a moving job to Jefferson City, MO over July 4th weekend 2002, three of the hottest days I remember, went to the Cards game against LA, heard about Ted Williams' death at the bar across the street, went back to our hotel all bummed & wound up doing a shot with Tino Martinez in the lobby bar of the Adam's Mark Hotel.)</div></li></ul>What, if any, minor league teams have you seen?When I was 12 my baseball camp went to see a Utica Blue Sox game back when Morganna was part owner.  We got to play on the field all afternoon & get instruction from some players & coaches.  It was a Father/Son weekend camp, but when some of the Mothers came along for the outing, they were less than pleased to see their sons & husbands meeting "the Kissing Bandit."I've also been to Newark Bears Stadium, but not to see the Bears play.

This message was edited by Crippler on 8-2-06 @ 1:24 PM

terry1979

08-01-2006, 08:56 AM

1) Sometime in July of '86.  The Mets' beat the Astros like 16-4 or something.  I remeber it was tied at 4 until the 7th or 8th and then Ray Knight hit a three run homer to break the tie then the amazin's piled it on afterward.  I can still see that goofy southern bastard doing the gayest lil' skip/jump on the first base line when he realized it was gone.2) THere are 3 very memorable games that come to mind :a) 1999 NLDS game 4.  Pratt hit the walk off Series ending HR against the D-Backs.  Unbelievbably unexpected.b) Derrick Lowe's no hitter in Fenway.c) Game 6, bloody sock.3) Shea, Yankee, The Vet, Wrigley, Fenway, Olympic Stadium, RFK, Camden Yards, Dodgers Stadium, Anaheim, Tampa Bay....I think that is it.4) Just went to a Brooklyn Cyclones game two weeks ago.  I believe they were playing Oneonta.

absinthe

08-01-2006, 09:29 AM

<ol><li>First
game was about 15 rows above the Tigers dugout against Cleveland, probably
1994.</li><li>Probably
seeing a ball hit out of Tiger Stadium in the last year it was open (1999) Apart from that it was probably seeing
Frank Thomas take batting practice.</li><li>Tiger
Stadium, Comerica Park, Minute Maid Park</li><li>Just
been to a few independent games, can’t even recall the names</li></ol>

This message was edited by absinthe on 8-1-06 @ 1:30 PM

Doogie

08-01-2006, 10:52 AM

What was your first baseball game that you can remember?I remember it was a Yankees vs. Texas Rangers game in 1983. I remember it was my fathers first time back to a ballpark in almost 15 years and didnt realize how badly inflation had hit the ball park when you are bringing along two young kids. What was your most memorable in-person baseball experience?Getting beaned by a pitcher in a little league game and everyone thinking I was going to charge the plate.What ballparks have you visited?Shea, Yankee, Camden Yards, Olympic Stadium (Montreal), Joe Robbie, Tidewater/Norfolk, Tampa Bay, Cincinnatti, and Veterans MemorialWhat, if any, minor league teams have you seen?Mets AAA Team (Norfolk), Oneonta Yankees A Team (c. 1997), St. Lucie Mets (A Team), Sarasota Red Sox (A team). Red Sox team memorable for it being dollar beer, dollar hot dog night.

Tenbatsuzen

08-01-2006, 12:47 PM

Doogie76 wrote: Getting beaned by a pitcher in a little league game and everyone thinking I was going to charge the plate.    Wow, he MUST have hit you hard.

patsopinion

08-01-2006, 01:28 PM

What was your most memorable in-person baseball experience? What ballparks have you visited? What, if any, minor league teams have you seen? First baseball game experience (i dont remember this) was i was a
baby sitting behind the red sox dugout with my mom and roger clemons
walked up to our seats and gave my mom a ball (still have the ball).First
memory is sitting on third baseline with my buddies dad and him. 
Thos are still some of the best seats i have ever had.Most
memorable was when giami was on the a's and they won the closing series
of the season against the yankees to get into the al wild card where
they were defeated by the yankees.  It was a great game
though.  There were like 2 really good fights.The next most
memorable was me and my buddies got drunk and went to a a's vs royals
game and the asian guy infront of us keep yelling out ichiro.  It
made us laugh for like 3 hrs straight.  Ball parks are
oakland collisseum, sbc park, and whatever the angels stadium is, and
candelstick park(where the gians did play). I went to a minor leauge game in the la area, cant remember anything about the name of the teams or what city it was in.

Don Stugots

08-01-2006, 03:06 PM

Tenbatsuzen wrote: OK, this should be a simple enough and interesting thread: What was your first baseball game that you can remember?what is now known as Munson Day, it was 1 year after he had died.  i will never forget crying in the upper deck that my fav. Yank was gone.  I played in the Thurman Munson league so he was/is a big deal to me.  Goose came out of the bullpen and the place went nuts.What was your most memorable in-person baseball experience?meeting whitey ford at my leagues baseball dinner.  i also met John Franco and Dave Regitti in other years.What ballparks have you visited?everyone should take a tour of Yankee stadium.  i have been to candem yards but for a convention and not a baseball game.What, if any, minor league teams have you seen?the SI yanks, the Cyclones, the NJ cardinals and the hudson valley renegades.

outlawfrank

08-01-2006, 03:36 PM

I remember seeing the Detroit Tigers/Red Sox at the old Tiger Stadium, i was real young that's all i remember from that game.On Aug. 10, 2001, Sweeney asked the umpire to have pitcher Jeff Weaver move the resin bag. Weaver reportedly called Sweeney some expletive, so Sweeney charged the mound.  Benches cleared it was a beautiful sight.I've been to old Tiger Stadium, Comerica Park, Wrigley Field, old Busch Stadium, old Comiskey Park, Jacobs Field, Coors Field, and Kauffman StadiumI've seen the Toledo Mud Hens, Omaha Royals

HBox

08-01-2006, 03:46 PM

What was your first baseball game that you can remember?NY Mets vs San Francisco Giants. Mets sucked ass, and Kevin Mitchell (playing for the Giants at the time) hit a HR off the huge scoreboard. Giants blew them out.What was your most memorable in-person baseball experience?Unfortunately another Mets game, this one in Philly. Alex Ochoa hit for the cycle. What a fitting begining to that illustrious career.What ballparks have you visited?Yankee Stadium, Shea, Veterans, Safeco and First Energy Ballpark(Lakewood).What, if any, minor league teams have you seen?Just the Lakewood Blueclaws, the Phillies Class A affiliate.

cougarjake13

08-01-2006, 04:31 PM

What was your first baseball game that you can remember?mets vs astros at shea in 1988 What was your most memorable in-person baseball experience?2000 world series game 3 at sheaWhat ballparks have you visited?shea, yankee stadium, fenway park, camden yards, the vet & the new phillies stadium, pnc park in pittsburgh, dolphin stadium(marlins), turner field, miller park (brewers), wrigley field, us celluar, qualcomm (padres) dodger stadium, angel stadium, jacobs field, great american ballpark (reds) What, if any, minor league teams have you seen?tampa yankees, dunedin blue jays, clearwater phillies, winter haven indians, lakeland tigers, bradenton pirates, brooklyn cyclones, staten island yankees, kane county cougars, schaumburg flyers, st lucie mets

Jujubees2

08-02-2006, 06:28 AM

What was your first baseball game that you can remember?Red Sox - Washington Senators in 1971.  Ted Williams was the Senators' manager so I can say that I saw Ted Williams at Fenway!What was your most memorable in-person baseball experience?When I saw a minor league pitcher strikeout FIVE batters in one inning to tie a record.What ballparks have you visited?Fenway, Shea, Yankee Stadium, The Vet, Camden Yards, Memorial Stadium, Oakland Alameda, Candlestick Park, PacBell Field, Anaheim Stadium, Dodger Stadium, Arlington Stadium, Kaufman Stadium (KC), Comiskey Park I, Wrigley Field, Astrodome, Fulton County Stadium (Atlanta), Olympic Stadium, Veterans Stadium.What, if any, minor league teams have you seen?Pawtucket Red Sox (I saw all the great Red Sox coming up through the farm system: Fred Lynn, Jim Rice, Wade Boggs, Carlton Fisk, etc.) and Brooklyn Cyclones.I saw a few games in California (Lancaster Jethawks, Inland Empire 66ers, Lake Elsinore Storm, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and the Fresno Grizzlies). I also worked for the Vermont Reds for one summer so I saw every one of their games that year.

Tenbatsuzen

08-02-2006, 08:50 AM

Out of all the stadiums I want to visit (and there's quite a few), I really, really want to check out the new Busch Stadium. The view of the skyline, complete with the St. Louis Arch, looks incredible. I just read that both the New Yankees Stadium AND the New Mets Stadium will have their naming rights sold.   That's just fucking terrible.

Crippler

08-02-2006, 09:26 AM

Tenbatsuzen wrote: I just read that both the New Yankees Stadium AND the New Mets Stadium will have their naming rights sold.  That's just fucking terrible.  Not to give them a total pass, but if it's "Yankee Stadium at AT&T Park" or something like that, I could live with it.  If the New York F'n Yankees play a baseball game in "Cablevision Stadium" or something like that, I will vomit.

Tenbatsuzen

08-02-2006, 10:36 AM

Crippler wrote: Tenbatsuzen wrote: I just read that both the New Yankees Stadium AND the New Mets Stadium will have their naming rights sold. That's just fucking terrible. Not to give them a total pass, but if it's "Yankee Stadium at AT&T Park" or something like that, I could live with it. If the New York F'n Yankees play a baseball game in "Cablevision Stadium" or something like that, I will vomit.   According to Wikipedia, (did you know that the elephant population in africa is exploding?) the name will either be "The Verizon Yankees Stadium" OR "Yankees Stadium at Verizon Pavilion". New Mets Stadium will be a straight out naming deal though.