Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Party for my Friends in the SchoolYard

Before positional players show up to camp; before exhibition games start; before our clubs break camp; before Opening Day and our seasons start in earnest; before we all  become singularly focused on our favorite teams and players; before our rivalries set in; before we all draw that line in the sand when the Ump yells "PLAY BALL"!!....; Before all that takes place I want to invite everyone to my first annual:

" Freezing February School Yard
Hot Dogs, Brandy & Baseball
Oil Drum BonFire for the Fans "

Mike!?   What do we do at such a gathering? 
Answer: Say three things about a team other than your own and try to keep it nicey-nice.
Bring something too..I got the fire started up and have a nice long stick for everyone to roast up a good winter dog with.  I have the hot dogs and brandy so all you need to do is show up and we'll all have a nice party for our 30 teams we call MLB.  C'mon Let's be baseball pagans for a night.
It's my blog so I'll do the National League today.  Follow my lead.

NY METS
Jerry Koosman!  Hall of Famer Mr. Met. 
Retire Kieth Hernandez' #17

FLORIDA MARLINS
Jeff Conine = the First.  I like their logo!  Sister lives there so I go to several Marlin games a year.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Good job with the Connie Mack Tribute outside the park.  Pat's cheese steaks are better than Geno's!
Tug McGraw getting the last strike to end 1980 WS.

ATLANTA BRAVES
"..here's the pitch by Downing..." Hammerin Hank is still the HR King.
Original Boston Beaneaters, Chipper Jones can ride the Trolley anytime.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS/Montreal Expos
The running Presidents are some of the best mascots in baseball...I love those guys!!
Cool new park, went in 2009. 
1994 Expos, Andre Dawson, Ellis Valentine

CHICAGO CUBS
went in 1991, an almost perfect baseball experience (does perfection exist?)
Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance
Ron Santo...Hey Hey!!

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
One of the best uniforms in all of baseball.  Ted Simmons!! 
Went in 1987...Ate myself silly at the Spaghetti Factory, is that still there?

PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Go all the way back to the Alleghenies BBC!  DAVE PARKER!!
Went in 2006.  The city, park, views and walking over the Roberto Clemente Bridge to go to the game and seeing all the statues including the Negro Leagues...Awesome!

MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Part of my 1991 road trip.  Old County Stadium was a great blast from the past ballpark.
Harvey's WallBangers!!  Cecil Cooper!

HOUSTON ASTROS
Went to Astrodome in 1987. 
 Those multi-color striped uniforms grew on me to the point I liked them.
Jose Cruz.

CINCINNATI REDS
first openly professional baseball team 1869.
MLB should return the proper opening of the baseball season to Cincinnati's Opening Day.
Joe Morgan.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
any park that let's you bring your dog is OK with me!  Not hanging your heads after games 4 and 5 in the 2001 WS and winning it all was pretty damn impressive.  Does Big Unit go in as a D-Back? Doubtful but he had great years there and a ring to show for it.  Should he?

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Juan Marichal!! 
The Giants Win the Pennant!!, The Giants Win the Pennant!!, The Giants Win the Pennant!!
All that great NYC history  (eh hem...I said we'd be nicey nice)

SAN DIEGO PADRES
I believe the swingin' Padre logo is one of the classics in baseball.
Ozzie Smith's autograph at Shea Stadium in 1980.
It's just a great name and throwback to the Pacific Coast League team.

BRO LOS ANGELES DODGERS
(deep breath..)
Dodger Dogs and a beautiful park aging gracefully, becoming one of the games newer/older Gran' Dames.
FernandoMania
..and that Oh So Rich Brooklyn History...(eh Hem!!)

COLORADO ROCKIES
Went to the first Rockies game ever vs Mets at Shea 1993.
Bichette, Castilla, Walker and Galaraga...ouch!
Congrats 2007 NL Champs

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That's the way it's done folks.  Bundle up and grab a stick.  Before we all get carried away with ourselves this season, let's just chill as one big MLB family.  Don't forget to bring something.

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