Game #7, White Sox v. Red Sox, April 28, 2012

I have been a Red Sox fan since I was a kid, long before they were the studs who won the World Series in 2003. Wait, is that the right year? I should check that out. When I was a teacher in Minnesota, I kept a running record of my favorite teams on the board (Cubs, Twins, and both Sox teams) and support them wholly. Lately they have received a great deal of criticism for various, mostly administrative, reasons. I see a team that is consistently competitive. My favorite player on the team is Dustin Pedroia. One of my students, Tyler Greene, who is himself a formidable second baseman reminds me of him. Small, quick, and fiercely competitive, he's never an easy out at the plate. So I try to watch at least one Red Sox game a year when they come to town, even though it's a little more expensive than some of the other games.

Interestingly enough, Marlon Byrd had recently been traded from the Cubs to the Red Sox, and Marlon had always been good to Angela and me, so she met me at the park. He and Pedroia were my goals. They both signed, but not by where either of us were standing. Wahhhhh. So Pedroia is still on my list of players I need to meet.


I was blessed to finally meet Brent Lillibridge, one of the finest utility players in the game, and an overall wonderful person. Over the last couple years, I have heard many stories about Lilly, and all of them were positive stories. It was cold during BP and most of the Sox players were down in the clubhouse, but Brent saw me and walked over and was as friendly as can be.

Ironically, Brent would soon be traded to the Red Sox. It made me sad. But I will say, it was a thrill to be so close to the players, and that's one of the things I love about Comiskey. During batting practice, you are allowed to stand right next to the dugout. You can see David Ortiz here--how cool to be so close to him! And many of the players sign, especially if you are at the visitor side.

 

I don't remember who this is, but I definitely met him.

And here's Marlon Byrd in a Sox uniform--so weird. He signed a lot.

 Dustin Pedroia and Nick Punto. Of course I support Punto because he is a former Twin.

Everyone was still abuzz from two milestones. First Paul Konerko, arguably the most beloved Sox player, hit his 400th career home run.

Second, Phillip Humber pitched a perfect game. Governor Quinn came out to honor him and declare "Phillip Humber Day."

Nate Jones posing and smiling. He's another good one.

Dylan Axelrod and others walking to the bullpen.

 

At the beginning of the year, a lot of players will come over for photos and autographs during batting practice and warm ups. Here'S Dayan Viciedo.

 Gordon Beckham

 Alex Rios

 Stud.

 I wouldn't mind trading jobs with him.

Gordon Beckham is one of the best signers! He gives special attention to kids too. Great guy.

 Jake Peavy and Tyler Flowers ready to rock.

 Is anyone surprised that Paul Konerko doubled? He was a super stud.

 Marlon, who would later be released by the Sox and also suspended for steroids.

 Dustin is cold.

 Isn't Angela adorable?

 Peavy pitched like a beast. Unfortunately Jon Lester was super that night too.

 Game was scoreless until the 4th, when Gonzalez drove in Sweeney.

 Big Papi.

 If for no other reason, go to a Red Sox game to watch Pedroia on defense. He is always moving, always alert.

 This is describing Robin Ventura.

It was a great game that the Red Sox ultimately won, 1-0.


Any facebook friends of mine are welcome to look at the almost 500 photos I took of this game at: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150863073228786&set=a.10150862936868786.412897.511233785&type=3&theater#!/media/set/?set=a.10150862936868786.412897.511233785&type=3

Game # 6 Cubs v. Cardinals, 4/24/12

The Cubs v. Cardinals rivalry is as old as baseball, really. I don't get into the rivalries much. Sometimes I get caught up in the trash talking, but the truth is, I have a lot of love for the Cardinals orginazation. If you go to a game at Busch Stadium, you will see serious fans who are ALL wearing Cardinals t-shirts. And then if you go anywhere in the St. Louis area, you will see people wearing Cardinals gear. I think they may be the most hometown-supported team in baseball. Also, Cardinals fans are smart. They know the game and the players. And their recent track record gives them legitimate bragging rights.

P.S. for a great Cardinals/Cubs book, read Three Nights in August by Buzz Bissinger. It is wonderful.

I was especially excited for this game because I would finally get to see Jeff Samardzija pitch. The numbers don't really tell the story of how incredible he is. He was the love of Angela's life at this point. She was a fan of him even in his lean years, when people booed him.

Batting practice was fun, obviously.

Here's manager Dale Sveum and third base coach Pat Listach shooting the breeze.

The Kid Kerry.

We were excited to be there.

 Here's the thing about me and Angela: When we want to meet someone, we get it done. Everyone was like, Dale will never come over. So Angela made this simple, plaintive sign, and over he came.

 Oh, just shooting the breeze with Dale Sveum. No big deal.

 This is an awesome face.

 Angela and Dale.

 Me and Dale

 This is the first time I saw Michael Bowden. I did not know at the time how much I would come to respect and adore him. We got him as part of the deal with Theo Epstein, I think, but whatever the reason he was new to the club.

 Angela made a cheat sheet for us to know the Cardinals players.

 David Freese threw me a ball.

 David DeJesus has the perfect beard.

 Me and bullpen coach Lester Strode. He would come to love us.

 Lester and Angela

Jeff walking out to warm up

 Ian Stewart

 Tony Campana had also been called up from AAA.

 Bryan LaHomer

 Darwin Barney loves Angela. She is like his little sister. I am pretty much chopped liver. P.S. how about that photobomber?

 Tony Campana always liked me better than Angela so that was a comfort to me in the wake of the Darwin Barney ignoring incident. But to be fair, Tony is good to everyone. Look at that smile! He will sign for an endless line of kids. One of the most fan-friendly players in baseball. I always call him The Fastest Man Alive because he is.

Steve Clevenger

 Later I had him autograph the picture below and he wrote, "I'm not mad at you." But doesn't he look hateful here?

 I love their gloves and how they're personalized.

 The cast of Million Dollar Quartet sang the National Anthem. You should go see that show if you haven't because it is fantastic.

 I think this is Scott Maine. And here is the thing about Mr. Maine: he pretends he doesn't love Angela and me, but he does. Secretly.

 I love the way David DeJesus runs.

 Anyway, David was on third in the first inning and Starlin hit a sac fly, giving the Cubs an early 1-0 lead.

 Mike Matheny argued the call. The umpire said DeJesus was safe on an awesome, close play. I didn't take a picture because it's too hard when you're obsessed with what's going on.

 Jeff Samardzija was amaaaaaaazing.

 He's so passionate. He struck out nine in 6 2/3 innings and didn't allow any runs.

 Than Raffle Ticket came in.

 And Matt Holliday homered to tie it up in the eighth. When I ask pitchers, "Who's the toughest hitter you've ever faced?" all the NL pitchers say Matt Holliday. All of them. They said every hitter has a weakness except him.

 David DeJesus is amazing and underrated.

 Here's Michael Bowden!

 Angela showing off the Dale Sveum autograph on her Cubs team ball. Eventually she filled it.

 Then in the bottom of the ninth, like a storybook, Bryan LaHomer hit a homer. The game was tied.

 In comes Jeff Samardzija's best friend, James Russell.

 I took a picture of the Clev warming up the pitcher because I am just so bitter he didn't play more.

 Geovany Soto, the "other" catcher.

 In the bottom of the tenth, Tony Campana singled.

 Then, because he's brilliantly fast, he stole second, as usual.

 Mike Matheny did not agree with the call, and he mentioned this to the umpire. He was ejected.

 Meanwhile, LaHomer was intentionally walked, bringing up Alfonso Soriano. He went ahead and singled, Campana scored, and we won 3-2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Cubs kind of got into this habit of dramatic wins, which is why I love baseball. There's no clock. You can always catch up, no matter how improbable, until that 27th out.

 I guess this was before Garza was committed to pie-ing everyone. They Gatoraded Fonsie.

 We were pretty pumped about the win.

 Oh, we might've met Ryan Dempster too.

 Our first meeting with our brother, Joe Mather.

 I love him.

 James Russell, who got the WIN.

All of my photos can be seen by facebook friends at: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150858604833786.412422.511233785&type=3