2008...2009!

While so much went wrong in the world Shira and I had a super year! We can only hope that 2009 treats us as well as we begin Baby Year One. So much of my blogging energy has been put into babymagic that I've neglected my baseball blog. But I guess thats what impending faterhood does to my baseball needs. It's offical all FOUR of my sports teams made it into the playoffs this calendar year... Celtics, Red Wings, Brewers, and Dolphins! But more important, I have a loving and creative wife who is about to become an amazing mom! Happy New Year!

Toast to the New World Champs...Phillies

Congrats to Shira, Cherry Hill, & our baby who is now officially a Phillies fan. The Philadelphia Phillies are the 2008 World Series Champions! The won all seven games at Citizens Bank Ballpark behind Cole Hamels. What an exciting run especially since we saw the run up close and personal! Now let's elect Obama!

Five Years!

Amazingly it's been five years since Shira and I were married. I remember watching the post season as Shira would spend nights at Gillions finishing her dress. I remember picking up 100+ pimpkins from my school and driving them home and then to the city. That year anothe Florida team made an unthinkable run to the World Series. This time we are rooting hard for the Phillies, but we still own matching 2003 Marlins World Champion shirts. Looking forward to many more October Anniversarys!

#19

The Pilgrimage to the Yount statue reached its conclusion two weeks ago. Got the chance to see Yount shag some flyballs during my tour with Dave. Two weeks since the memorable game and Sveum is gone. Actually he only had a .500 record in his 16 games. As for Yount it was cool to see his statue and see him be a part of the second most successful team in Brew Crew history. I wore #19 & #91 in honor of Robin Yount. I have several more pics which I'll post at some point.

If you Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em! Go Phils!

Shira and the baby are going to the World Series! Actually the Phillies will, we will be watching at home. Especially since our 5th anniversary is Game 3 in Philadelphia. We were there for the first step and look forward to the Phils taking it all this fall!

Stadium #21 Miller Park

As the season drew to a close I seemed resigned to two facts: the Brewers would choke their way out of a playoff spot & I would be stuck at 20 ballparks until next seasons two new NY stadiums. Well the Brewers one six of the last seven with Dale Sveum at the helm & the Brewers made their first postseason since I was nine. Dave and I were fortunate to see the Brew Crews first playoff win since I was ten. All those years of being loyal paid off with this Brewers dream scenario. This photo was taken during my "tour" with Barkin. Thanks Dave for an amazing Brew Crew experience!

Octoberfest 2008

Philadelphia (Gm. 1 NLDS)- WOW! We were interviewed twice by the Courier Post and a Milwaukee radio station. And that was before the game even began! What a thrilling day! It was our first playoff game and it did not disappoint. The Phils won the game 3-1 and we got our moneys worth. We had fantastic seats about five rows behind right field wall and the fans booed me as we walked to them. Fortunately I had Shira, my pregnant wife, as a buffer. Most of the fans were cool because what threat do the Brewers really pose to the baseball landscape? I will have more to post but I want to say thanks to Dave Barkin before I continue.

Milwaukee Bound!

The White Sox and Twins might not know if they are going to the playoffs but I know I'll be making my debut! Shira and I are hopeful we can land tickets for Game one Brewers-Phils on Wednesday, but at the very least I'll be at game three! Shira gave me her blessings saying, "You might not get this chance again." I've had this grin the last 24 plus hours. Shira added she won't have to trek out to Milwaukee now. I owe many thanks to my friend Dave for making this happen. We've been buds at the wood for years and he's always been more than generous in hooking me up with Brew Crew gear. This whole scenario has been worth the wait and the true fun hasn't even begun!

Brewers return me to 1982

Last week I spoke to my friend Dave and we were both dejected about the Brewers squandering their playoff chances. Now we are both in an ecstatic state and making playoff plans after our beloved Brew Crew landed a playoff spot. Years ago I remember listening on my walkman at the WP Bowl as the Brewers came back from two down to beat the Angels and get to the World Series. That was one of the first things to enter my mind as victory seemed real today. I have waited since 1982 and never thought the day would arrive when we made it. Ironically neither New York team got in! C.C. threw a gem and made a memorable one-handed snag. Then Braun launched a homer that will send him into Brewers immortality. Loyalty sure pays off I knew this one playoff opportunity would be worth the wait. Strangely the Brewers will face Shira's Phillies. It'll be more exciting days ahead!

Celtic outtake photo

Wow! What a week! The Celts got it done! Rit picked us up title shirts today( and he met MCA). Celts by 39 points and to think a year ago they were the worst. This spring Celts and Red Wings won. Hey the Dolphins went 1-15 so I desrved a good spring, and the Brew Crew isn't playing so bad. Hopefully Sheets can stay healthy and they'll play some important games. On Memorial day weekend, Shira and I saw Brewers beat Nationals. On that day Celts beat Pistons in a Eastern Conf game and Wings took game 1 of Stanley Cup. We watched 3 of the finals games at fern!What a series!

Beat L.A!

Wednesday Night, Red Wings win 4th Cup in my lifetime.
Thursday Night, Celtics win a game in Finals for the 1st time since I was 15.
Wow.

Stadium #20 Nationals Park

A brief donning of the home team cap outside of stadium #20, Nationals Park. This was the fifth stadium I saw the Brewers in so I quickly took off the "W" cap and handed it to Shira. Nationals Park did not disappoint. The first hour was spent in the outfield concourse. We bought a Teddy Roosevelt doll and Screech claw. We had time to get some blue slush puppies and see the DJ, cherry blossoms, and guitar hero center. The seats were fantastic(thanks Andy) and Shira found a pracice ball on our way to giving Suppan the Book of Bert. Stadium twenty was a huge success. It was the third team I've seen two homefields( Pirates, Phillies, Nationals).

Celts return to Finals!

We interrupt this blog to report that the Celtics are returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1987. Let's see I was finishing 9th grade at tha time. Now i've been teaching for 9 years! I watched the game with my Dad who raised Rit and I to be Celtic fans. Who wouldv'e thought a year ago we'd be at this point. Then the summer time trades gave us hope. Now game 1 of the finals this Thursday vs... The Lakers?!? Should be fun!

April Showering with Baseball

What a hectic April it's been?!? Tax Day! Green Lantern Bday! Varsity Baseball Season! Book Release Parties! Somehow managed to squeeze three games into the 08 Season, so far. This pic is from my third trip to Camden Yards. Enjoy!

Munchkin Land, U.S.A.

In Kansas City they busted out the last remaining Munchkin from the Wizard of Oz. I've seen other Munchkin's since and I'm not sure of the discrepancy. While we were in the Midwest trolling with Munchkins my bro saw Shaq on his vacation.

Leap Day '08!

It's not every day you get to blog on February 29th. Actually it's every four years! But you know that! This pic is from our 2005 trip to KC. We took a pic automatically and then an usher came over and asked us if he could take our pic. Just like NY !?!
Shira and I plan on going to DC sometime this year for my 20th stadium.

N.L.B.M.

The Negro League Baseball Museum is located in Kansas City. It is not a Hall of Fame but a history of the defunct league that existed before and for a brief time after Jackie Robinson's debut in MLB. At the time of our visit Buck O'Neil was still alive but he was not at the museum. Last year Buck passed away, ever the gentlemen Buck was never publicly miffed at not being placed into Cooperstwon Hall. Hopefully one of these days MLB will get it right and honor Buck O'Neil. The NLBM shares the premises with the Jazz Musuem and is well worth the visit if one is ever in KC.

*Snow Day*

Crazy, snowy day here! My bro locked his keys in his running car while we were shoveling our parking spots. To commemorate this snowy day how about a pic from Canada!

Wheels, Bovines, & Wreaths

This photo was taken during my third and briefest trip to Cooperstown. Just paying my respects to the Scooter who departed this earhtly plane in summer 07. This upcoming softball season will be dedicated to his memory.

Schmidt Mitt!?!

Philadelphia 2005- Shira and I outside Citizen's Bank Ballpark at the Mike Schmidt statue. Games we've been to since the park opened:
September 19, 2004 vs. Montreal Expos
June 12, 2005 vs. Milwaukee Brewers
May 20 & 21, 2006 vs. Boston Red Sox
August 30, 2007 vs. New York Mets

Head First Into '08!

Almost a year with this blog and about 50 posts AND I still haven't posted my St. Loooie Card pics?!!? Here is the Cardinal sliding under the tag of the Wizard of Oz, Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith!

Pitchers, Catchers, Congressman Report

It's ironic that Bonds, Clemens, and Sosa may all end up eligible for the Hall of Fame the same year. It seems all three will have a hard time getting in without paying admission. I hope they have AAA because they'll at least get the rebate. In this pic I'm posing near the Gwynn Shrine. Shira is at the Ripken shrine.

More Ball Droppin'

As kids Mom and Dad were great at taking us to the ballpark. In the late 70's we were screaming for Rick Cerone and Lou Pinella's attention. Coach Mike Ferraro was kind enough to toss us youngsters a ball. Jim Rice also answered our call by autographing our program (in the Bronx no less?!!?)