Saturday August 16 2008 - 11:20am Eastern
Again, I’m talking more about baseball and my road trip … not hoops. But it’s my blog … so I can do what I want, right? Don’t worry, I’ll throw a little bball in at the end.
So we (me, my Dad, my father in law, and my Grandfather-in-law (”Coach”)) lucked out big-time last night. Mother Nature toyed with us; she teased us but she was gentle in the end. We actually saw the game.
It wasn’t looking good at 530pm when it poured, and poured and poured. After the weatherman had called for it to POUR and STORM alllll day … not one drop fell from 9:00am-5:00pm. But as we got to the park (early) to take pictures and just take in all of Yankee Stadium … the skies opened up. Big time. Murhpy’s Law was kickin’ us in the you-know-what.
It rained for nearly 3 hours but amazingly the game started 90 minutes late — at 835pm. If I were a betting man … I would have lost my house and life savings ’cause I thought there was NO way the game would be played. I thought the game was going to be called for sure. But the rain let up and the grounds crew did an outstanding job of getting the field ready for action for the Yanks and Royals.
Coach had a GREAT time and was like a little kid … staring up and down and side to side at everything. He was overwhelmed with all of the sights; he couldn’t keep up with it all!
Coach was rewarded with a great game too … as the Yankees tied it late, coughed up the go-ahead run in the 9th, and then loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the 9th before Jason Giambi popped out to end the game. New York may have lost 4-3 but it was a memorable experience nonetheless.
The game ended just before midnight. Almost 7 hours at the ball park. Wow.
We went across the street to have a few beers and wait out the subway crowd but by the time we left the bar we missed our subway and ended up taking a cab to Times Square for a late-night snack and then another cab back to the hotel at about 3:30am.
And Coach (78) was the only one that still wanted another beer when we walked in the lobby of the hotel.
We’re off to Pittsburgh today … getting set to see the Pirates and Mets tomorrow before heading back to T.O.
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Finally, as I’m writing this … the US/Spain game is at the half. USA is up by 16 and they’ve looked dominant in stretches during the first half. Unfortunately, I’ve got to check out of the hotel and get on the road so I won’t be able to watch the end of the ball game. The Americans are proving - so far - that they truly are second to none again. Spain is still the 2nd best team in this tournament but “the Redeem Team” looks dominant.
E. Smith
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Eric,
- BehzadI’ve watched Spain play a couple times in this tourny and I’m trying to figure out why Jose isnt getting a lot of minutes. Ricky Rubio is a good prospect, but Jose should still get more minutes than what he is. is there something im not seeing?
Luck you in 2 cases. You got to see the basebasll game. I checked scores of baseball which I never do, just to see if you got to see your game. I was happy to learn you did. Second you didn’t have to watch the second half. If I didn’t know any better I’d say Spain tanked. For their sake I hope they did cause they truly sucked. Jose is getting some screwed up floor time in this tournament. Obviously the new Spain Coach does not buy into consistant rotations like Sam Mitchell. Jose has been pretty underwhelming to say the least. Lastly it is your blog and I agree do what you like. I am happy to play a supporting role here in comments. Enjoy the rest of your vacation Eric all the best!!!
- James BorbathThis should be all about the Coach. I am glad the rain stopped for him and his favorite team won. Hanging out with people that age is always fun. For me there’s nothing better than having a beer with my Grandpa and play chess and scrabble with him. It’s very comforting.
- Beburg aka The 88mph man