Baseball Journal June 2017 Part 7

6-25-17
Even with my new terrible work hours, I was still knocked out after that game and woke up late.  Thankfully, I got up in time for the rubber match between the Rangers and Yankees.  The radio call picked up (late as usual) with Adrian Beltre hitting a two-run homer as part of a three-run first inning.  Later in the first after Aaron Judge got on, Eric Nadel commented that, “Napoli looks like a little leaguer next to him.”  Mike Napoli, playing first today, is not a small person.

In the second, Joel Pineda, starting for the Yankees, took about 15 minutes to put two runners on and then give up a home run to Shin-Soo Choo.  You could hear Yankee fans grumbling.  If you were going to do that, couldn’t you have done it quicker?  Drew Robinson, a name I didn’t recognize playing second for the Rangers, got his first hit, RBI, and home run all in one swing in the fourth in his first start.  He also made a great play in the field earlier.  He can reportedly play any position.  7-0 Rangers after four complete.

Then it began.  The Yankees scored on a hit by Judge, right after the previous batter struck out, but reached on a wild pitch.  Then there was a three-run homer by Gary Sanchez.  7-4 Rangers.  In the seventh, the Yankees scored two more times and got the crowd back into it.  7-6 Rangers.

Finally, with two outs in the ninth, Matt Bush was pitching to Aaron Judge.  It was kind of a forced move for manager Jeff Bannister to put Bush in and everyone held their breath.  After a battle, Judge singled.  Gary Sanchez came up next.  Bush managed to strike him out to end the game, and perhaps get his closer job back.  7-6 Rangers final.  Whew!    

Tonight’s Chihuahuas’ game versus the Isotopes started in a rain delay in Albuquerque.  (It felt like rain here too.)  Thankfully, it was a short delay.  Thankfully, because they went back to regular programming and ESPN Radio has been completely unlistenable this week over the NBA (Nothing But A-holes) draft talk.  I don’t know who any of these players are that you guys are talking about, since all you’ve talked about for the last six months is Lebron and how much you hate the Warriors.

The coverage started with a very regal chorus performing the national anthem.  It was the Santa Fe Opera performing.  Very cool.  There was also Christmas music playing between innings.  Tim Hagerty explained that it was half-way to Christmas night.  Santa was in the house, and there were holiday giveaways for the fans in attendance.  Tim was still buzzing about last night’s game.  He said that there were only a couple of thousand left at the end of the game.  The stadium lights went off immediately after the last out, plunging the stadium into darkness, the music started, and the fireworks show began right then.  Meanwhile in the Isotopes’ clubhouse, Jon Gray had bought an extravagant spread of steak and shrimp for the team.  Needless to say, it got cold waiting for them.

The Chihuahuas managed a steady drip of runs and led 5-0 after four.  The comeback for the Isotopes started in the fifth as Dominic Brown tripled in two runs.  The crowd went nuts.  Brown scored on a sacrifice, and it was 5-3 Chihuahuas after five.  In the sixth, Albuquerque took the lead on a home run, 6-5, and piled on more in the seventh, 9-5.

In the bottom of the eighth, Carter Capps came in for the pups and was called for an illegal pitch.  Suddenly, we’re playing softball?  (That’s the only other place I’ve seen that call.)  Rod Barajas was tossed for arguing.  After a second call, a wild pitch by Capps hit the ump, and Capps smirked.  He was ejected and nearly got into a fight with the umpire.  Right after, Isotopes tacked on some more against the new reliever.  12-5 Isotopes was the final in an embarrassing loss.

6-26-17
Chihuahuas versus Rivercats.  The ‘Cats are the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate, so Tim Hagerty chatted about how bad the Major League team is.  He was also stumbling over some of the Rivercats’ player names, which even a professional announcer would have some trouble with.  Their roster is like a U.N. meeting.  Oh my, goodness gracious!  I just read the Albuquerque Journal account of that five and half hour game on Saturday.  After the past-midnight fireworks show, there was a scheduled “fun” run, which took place at 1:00 am.  There were participants.  What exactly is “fun” about a run with a bunch of strangers?  Seems like tequila shots would have been more “fun” and appropriate at that hour.

The Chihuahuas got the scoring started in the first by taking advantage of their home field and putting one into the overhanging Peter Piper Pizza Porch.  Jabari Blash made a great throw to the plate to keep the Rivercats off the board in the second, but they did tie the score in the fourth with a home run.

And then there were some broadcast issues over the Internet, along with my work commitments.  This has not been a good season for KROD’s baseball broadcasting.  I missed an interview with PCL President, Branch Rickey.  Then I missed Tim recapping the conversation.  I think Branch liked the franchise.  Tyler Beede pitched eight strong innings for the ‘Cats in a 4-2 win.  Tim sounded genuinely disappointed at the end of the game.

Rangers versus Indians.  Cole Hamels made his return to the lineup today.  Through four innings, he gave up three runs.  Unfortunately, he was charged with four runs in the fifth.  Amazingly, Cole did not take the loss.  The Rangers had been up 9-3 until that point.  The final ended up being 15-9 Indians.  The Rangers might have had some bullpen issues for this game.  Meanwhile, a reeling Rockies team got beat by a crappy Giants team, 9-2.  That’s six losses in a row, all to division opponents.

Baseball Journal June 2017 Part 6

6-24-17
Saturday morning baseball between the Rangers and Yankees.  Aaron Judge hit a monster home run for the Yankees in the sixth.  Rangers’ starter, Austin Bibens-Dirkx, watched the replay of it on the video board.  It was the only run he gave up in seven innings of work.  The Ranger offense had a good bounce back today as the team won 8-1.  They scored on hits, home runs, and even without a hit.  It was even a quick game.

The Fox game in the evening was the Red Sox versus the Angels.  Ugh.  Two teams I could hardly think the less of.  Interestingly, AJ Pierzynski was in the booth, calling the game.  He must have finally retired.  Having watched him do commentary in the post-season and liking it, I was hoping he’d make this transition.  Listening to his color commentary was actually made the game watchable for me.  Since he’s played against many of players in the game, it’s all relevant chatter.  After a player got hit on the toe, AJ contributed his own story about such an injury.  His toe was so swelled up, he had to play without a toe on his shoe, while he recovered.

The game wasn’t without its entertainment.  In the seventh, with a runner on third, a balk was called on the Red Sox pitcher.  The batter had called for time right before that, causing the flinch.  Red Sox manager, John Farrell, came out to argue.  Unfortunately, you could pretty clearly hear him over the crowd mic, before they shut it off.  After the umpires gathered and decided that was the right call, Farrell got into a face-to-face with the crew chief in a good old fashion agreement that, of course, ended in an ejection.  It was great.

With the score 6-1 Angels in the ninth, most of the Boston crowd was still there.  There were even some Angels fans there, and a Dodgers fan.  “I think he’s lost,” said AJ.  A bloop double hit the line, a third strike bounced into the crowd, and the bases were loaded to give the end of the game some drama.  The Angels finally had to bring in their closer to end it.  6-3 Angels.

Flipping around, I again found something interesting on a Juarez station.  It was the US versus Mexico in a football game.  No, American football, and it wasn’t a bunch of guys either.  I kept wondering why so many of the players had long hair coming out of the back of their helmets.  I seriously couldn’t actually tell their gender by how they walked.  This was the heretofore unknown international women’s football league.  To add to the confusion, the game was in Canada.

I couldn’t watch, but I kept tuning back to it to check the score.  It was nil-nil, errr, 0-0 after the first quarter.  There were four commentators for the game, including a woman who was a former player.  She was pleasant enough looking, but had on eye black, sideways, under one eye for some reason.  It was 16-0 US at halftime, 23-0 after three quarters, and 29-0 final.  Don’t ask me how the scoring worked.  Both teams lined up and shook hands afterward.  That’s all I have to say about this.

In Albuquerque, the Chihuahuas were playing the Isotopes.  The ‘topes opened it up with two home runs in the third, including one that went out over the hill to straightaway center.  Rockies’ starter, Jon Gray, was making a rehab start for the Isotopes.  I was kind of rooting for him, since the big league team needs him.

Unfortunately, I didn’t really start paying attention to this game until late.  I didn’t even keep track of the score.  In the sixth, I caught that an Isotopes player fell down rounding third coming in to score, and had to go back.  He didn’t end up scoring.  Surely that one run wouldn’t make a difference later, like the next inning when the Chihuahuas scored three runs to tie the score at five all.

A squeeze play by the Isotopes gave them a one-run lead going into the ninth.  There was a big crowd there, about 10,000.  The game was running long and the fans were waiting for a post-game fireworks show.  Sure enough, the Chihuahuas tied it.  In the bottom, the bases were loaded with two outs.  Inexplicably, the pinch hitter was called back and the Isotopes’ relief pitcher was allowed to hit for himself, which he didn’t do on three, empty-air swings.  Tim Hagerty was almost speechless at this turn of events.  Isotopes’ manager, Glenallen Hill, just about lost his voice screaming about the move.  I have no idea what happened.  On to extras.

We were over four hours in, when in the eleventh, Diego Goris hit a leadoff home run for the pups to the cheers of the crowd.  The Isotopes tied it in the bottom.  I suddenly realized that I’d missed the Rockies game that started an hour after this one, but I was not leaving this game now.

It’s the fourteenth inning.  We’re now five hours in.  Tim is getting giddy.  This game is setting all sorts of records you didn’t want to witness in person.  The Isotopes at this point have run out of pitchers to put on the mound.  A pitcher was moved into the outfield and Dominic Brown came in from the outfield.  If this is who I’m thinking off, he’s an impressive physical specimen.  Tim announced that that his fastball was hit 88 mph.  Regrettably, without any movement or complimentary pitches, he was putting it on a tee for professional batters.  He gave up three runs without getting an out.  Another outfielder came in and surrendered a three-run homer, but did get three outs.  13-7 Chihuahuas.

“If you’re still with us, you keep very odd hours,” said Tim, almost like he knew me.  The PA made an announcement that this game had set a PCL record with 40 players used in the game.  It’s over, right?  With two outs, the Isotopes hit a three-run homer.  Gasp!  The final out came with two runners on, but the game did end.  13-10 Chihuahuas.  The remaining fans gave the players an ovation.  The fireworks went off immediately.  This wasn’t quite as bad as that infamous Braves’ fireworks game, but pretty darn close.  It clocked in at five and half hours and finished after 12:30 am.

Baseball Journal June 2017 Part 5

6-21-17
No baseball today.  I was already depressed, but this just made it worse.  The Chihuahuas were off, and I missed the MLB free game, since it was on during the day.  Later, I realized I could have seen the Rockies playing the Diamondbacks, but I’d gotten out of the habit of having the TV on at work.  That just made me feel worse.

6-22-17
The good thing about being at home all day is that I get to hear all of the day games on the radio, such as today’s Rangers versus Blue Jays contest.  The game started well with the Adrian Beltre doubling in Elvis Andrus from first.  It was an aggressive, but good send to score him.  Mike Napoli hit a two-run homer in the second for a 3-0 Ranger lead.  Jose Bautista was thrown out at third to end the top of the third.  The Arlington crowd loved it.  You could tell every time he came to bat just by the boo’s.  In the bottom, Carlos Gomez hit a three-run homer off the word “Fowl” on the foul pole (sponsored by Chik-fil-a).  6-0 Rangers.

Robinson Chirinos clubbed a homer in the fourth.  Ranger starter, Martin Perez, lost it a bit in the fifth and four runs scored, all with two outs.  7-4 Rangers.  The Rangers actually didn’t score in the bottom as the Blue Jays finally took out their starter, Marcus Stroman, for a reliever.  Perez got into more trouble in the sixth, but finished the inning with two strikeouts to end it without damage.  In the bottom of the seventh, Gomez did it again with a two-run homer, 9-4 Rangers.

The bottom of the eighth featured an attempted run down of Chirinos between home and third.  He was ruled out, but it looked like at first to the broadcasters, that he’d been tagged with the glove, but the ball was in the fielder’s other hand.  Upon review, obstruction was called on the fielder and Robinson was awarded home, 10-4 Rangers.  Eric Nadel: “You can go years without seeing an obstruction call.”  I saw one this year at an Aggie softball game (I’m not going to look it up to link).  Beltre sacrificed in Shin-Soo Choo to bring the score to 11-4, which was the final.  The Rangers ended up splitting the four-game series with the Blue Jays.  Sometimes, they look really good, but they’re a .500 team.

Later, profoundly alone at work, I listened to the Chihuahuas versus the Isotopes in Albuquerque.  Jared Weaver, on Major League rehab, started the game for the pups.  Tim Hagerty spent quite a bit time going over Weaver’s accomplishments in the MLB.  For his first rehab start, it wasn’t that great, as he gave up three runs in three innings.  The runs were earned, but the defense behind him really didn’t help.  The Chihuahuas ended up losing 8-1.  They didn’t bring their hitting shoes today.

6-23-17
Finally, I can see a Rockies’ game today on the MLB free game.  Ha, ha, just kidding.  Local blackout.  At least I got to listen to the radio broadcast.  I actually stayed with the Dodgers’ team feed until I couldn’t take Charlie Steiner butchering the call anymore.  How does this guy still have a job with the Dodgers?  How do you follow Vin Scully with this guy?  In spite of how well the Rockies have been doing, I really haven’t been able to listen or watch any of their games.  I was surprised by some new, cool bumper music on the Rox’s radio broadcast.  Unfortunately, they lost 6-1 to the now first place Dodgers.  Why couldn’t I have been listening to these guys when they were winning?

Belatedly, I thought to check in to the Rangers versus the Yankees.  This was going to be the first US matchup between Yu Darvish and Masahiro Tanaka.  (They had pitched against each other in Japan.)  It was 0-0 in the eighth!  Incredible!  Looking at the box scores, they basically matched each other pitch-for-pitched.  In the ninth, the Rangers finally scored the first run, and it was on a wild pitch.  In the bottom, Matt Bush gave up a home run to Brett Gardner.  (Bleeping Brett Gardner!)  In the tenth, Bush gave up three singles, the winning run, and possibly the Rangers’ closer role.  That was disappointing.

And the Chihuahuas lost to the Isotopes again, this time badly.  (I didn’t bother noting the score.)  With that, I’m 0 for 3 for my teams today.

Baseball Journal June 2017 Part 4

6-18-17
The Rangers lost a very long, listless game to the Mariners, 7-3.  Manager Jeff Banister was ejected in the first.  He had an emphatic press conference afterward, saying that he wasn’t going to the repeat the offending conversation.  It was the most Ranger passion displayed in the entire broadcast.

“It’s 104 degrees in Fresno today,” said Tim Hagerty with some gravity.  I think we can beat that here, I thought.  Unfortunately, there were technical troubles in the bottom of the first.  The broadcast went to commercial for 10 minutes.  It came back briefly, and Tim announced that the score was now 2-0 Grizzlies and that the Chihuahuas were changing pitchers.  And then another 10 minutes of commercials.  The broadcast returned to the Chihuahuas batting with two on.  Then more commercials.  Tim seemed unaware of the problem.  Maybe the station was on auto-pilot, like they do to their MLB broadcasts.  Tim came back and switched to a cell phone and explained that the Fresno press booth was having problems.

The Chihuahuas weren’t having any problems.  The relief pitcher, in for the injured starter, was putting up zeroes.  After back-to-back home runs, the pups took the lead.  There was an interesting play in the fifth.  With the bases full of Chihuahuas, a dribbler at the plate was picked up by the Grizzlies’ catcher.  He stepped on home for the force out, but then airmailed the ball into the outfield, trying to get the double play at first.  The ball rolled into the Fresno bullpen, which the umpire ruled in play.  Two Chihuahuas’ runs scored.  6-2 El Paso.

The scoring didn’t stop, but the advantage remained the same.  In the ninth, with the score 11-5 Chihuahuas, it was quiet enough at the stadium that Tim could hear a Fresno player taking his frustrations out on a bat rack after a bad plate appearance.  It ended up being a three-hour, 20-minute game in some extreme heat.  I don’t blame the fans for deserting.  During the post-game MLB scores, I found out that Nolan Arenado had hit for the cycle, including a walk-off three-run homer to complete the trick.

Meanwhile, the Mexican League All-Star Game was on, as advertised yesterday during their home run derby.  The teams were North versus South and was held in the city of Campeche, whose citizens filled the grandstand for the game.  The bunting was in red, whte, and green.  The various teams’ costumed mascots were there in force.  I saw a dog, a wolf (with a mustache), a tiger, a bull, a rabbit, a chicken, a blue devil (?), and the hometown pirate parrot, who was the star of the proceedings.  Cheerleaders came out between innings.  And there was a midget, who was the bat boy.  

The players had ads all over their uniforms.  Even the umpires were wearing sponsorship patches.  The name on the back of most of the uniforms was “Tecate,” with a “Bud Light” mixed in.  You don’t want this in the MLB.  Alex Liddi was the only player name I recognized, but I wasn’t sure from where.

The game play was generally pretty good.  It was maybe a tick below what you’d see at Chihuahuas’ game.  The final was 4-3 North over South.  The game took about four hours.  All of the scoring took place early unfortunately.  It was interesting viewing anyway.

6-19-17
Another violent work schedule change.  Jabari Blash and Ryan Schimpf hit back-to-back home runs for the second day in a row, but the Chihuahuas fall in Fresno.

6-20-17
Tim Hagerty reported that today’s game was the hottest start time ever for a Chihuahuas’ game.  Fresno’s PA finally overdid it with the sound effects and played one during an at bat.  Both managers and the home plate umpire all looked up at the booth in disapproval.  It didn’t cut down on the sound effects, but that had to have been embarrassing.

Baseball Journal June 2017 Part 3

6-11-17
Sunday afternoon’s matchup between the Rangers and the Nationals featured Washington ace, Max Scherzer, versus Texas rookie Austin Bibens-Dirkx.  Austin, making his second big league start, gave up a leadoff home run and gave up another hit.  After that, he got 19 straight outs.  Scherzer was also dealing, and he only gave up a single run.  In the fifth, when Max left the game, the Nationals’ bullpen gave up four runs on one hit.  5-1 Rangers would be the final, completing a three-game sweep of a much better team.  However, “It’s not who you play; it’s when you play them.”  The Nationals were continually distracted by this weekend’s odd start times and a team fan event on Saturday.  They’re also in the middle of a death march of a schedule.

During the game, Matt Hicks reminisced about living in DC as a child and being a Senator’s fan.  He was at their last game and had cried his eyes out over the team leaving town.  (I’m not sure if this was the Twins or the Rangers version of the Senators.)  After getting a big lead, young Matt was at least happy that they were going to win their last game.  Unfortunately, fans prematurely stormed the field in the ninth, looking to take souvenirs.  Because of this disruption, the game ended in a forfeit and a loss for the Senators.

There was some major disappointment in the morning.  I turned on the TV to see the US Women’s Soccer team play.  No, actually I tuned in to see Alex Morgan.  She was not there.  It turned out later, she was injured.  Carli Lloyd only barely put in an appearance, as this was a “friendly.”  The US won 1-0 over Norway anyway.

This was part of a Foxsports double-header with the US versus Mexico coming on later.  That game wouldn’t actually count for anything either, but it was being held in the ultimate hostile environment in Mexico City.  In the Fox pre and post game shows, Fernando Fiore was there and speaking in English.

The Canadian F1 GP was a highly event-filled contest.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t taking notes.  There were really just two interesting stories.  Late in the race, Fernando Alonso’s engine blew and he came to a stop in front of a grandstand.  He went up into the crowd, slapping hands, and giving hugs.  He tossed his gloves into the crowd.  F1 drivers never do this.  Fernando’s Indy experience apparently really brightened his outlook towards the fans.

Sir Patrick Stewart came out to conduct the podium interviews, including race winner, Lewis Hamilton.  Prompted by Stewart and the crowd, Daniel Ricciardo did his podium ritual of drinking champagne out of this shoe and then threw it into the crowd.  He asked Patrick if he’d like a drink.  “Sure!” Patrick cheered.  Daniel took off his other shoe and obliged him.  “I don’t care if I have to drink it from a shoe! I’m having champagne on the podium!”            

After the Rangers’ game, Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final, the US versus Mexico soccer match, and the Chihuahuas’ game all came on at the same time.  The pups went down 9-0 early and I tuned them out.  They lost 11-5.  Boo.

The US team scored early, but Mexico answered later in the half.  1-1 ended up being the final.  It was a tie in what was meaningless game, since both teams have already qualified for the World Cup (I think, some other tournament?).  Typical soccer.  I’m glad that I didn’t really bother watching.  It was raining there in Mexico City.  At the end of the match, debris was also raining down from the stands.  The Mexican fans were not happy with this result.  Both teams probably had a nervous exit from the stadium.  Boo.

In Nashville, the neighborhood around the arena was literally filled with people.  There was even a concert on a rooftop playing for them.  Incredibly, there was more scoring in the soccer match.  Though I haven’t watched much of the Stanley Cup final, for the second time, I saw the Predators have one of their goals waved off in the first period.  This time, it was definitely on a bad call (an early whistle) by a ref.  In the third period, the Preds weren’t even able to score on a 5 on 3 advantage.  The Penguins won on a late goal (that was also questioned by the refs).  The final was 2-0 after an empty-netter.  Penguins win the championship.  Boo.

6-13-17
Today I had a real quandary between choosing games to listen to.  With a massive flip in my work schedule, I was at home in the early evening listening to baseball.  I started off listening to the Rangers and Astros, but as the signal went bad, I flipped to the Chihuahuas’ game.  Tim Hagerty was joined by Steve Kapolwitz from the local El Paso sports talk show.  I was sorry I’d missed some of their conversation, as they’re friends and apparently neighbors.  They were having a good time and loved talking baseball.  Tim, in particular, was displaying a great sense of humor that doesn’t usually come out in his solo broadcasts.  They even blew off a commercial break to continue a talk about Cody Decker.  (Neither were invited to his upcoming wedding.)  I know Kappy has his own show to do, but I hope they can bring him on more and have him do a couple of innings of game call to help save Tim’s voice.

But, I really wanted to find out how that Texas matchup went, so I flipped over a Rangers’ nighttime station.  The Rangers won 4-2, an unlikely second win against the Astros and their fifth in a row.  I missed Ruggie getting them the lead.  Flipping back again, the Chihuahuas were just finishing up a 3-1 win over the Rainiers.  There was some drama in the ninth to make it interesting.  That was a quick game.  It started an hour later than the Rangers’.

6-14-17
During the Ranger’s loss to the Astros, Jared Sandler talked about the MLB draft.  To my surprise, Marcel Renteria of the Aggies was mentioned.  Well, it wasn’t totally surprising that he was picked, though he came up because he was one of many legacy players chosen in the draft, which did surprise me.  Marcel is actually related to a couple of professional ball players.  The game was a 13-2 whooping by the Astros.  Elvis Andrus wasn’t in the lineup.  That didn’t help.

6-17-17
Rangers versus Mariners.  After the Rangers started off with a five-run lead, the M’s came back on a three-run homer to bring the score to 5-4.  In the sixth, the Rangers unloaded another five runs, including three home runs.  That would be a 10-4 Rangers’ win.  

Annoyingly, the Fox Saturday game wasn’t the Astros’ game.  (It ended up being a blow out win over the Red Sox anyway.)  Their game was the Cubs versus the Pirates.  Cubs’ pitcher Jake Arrieta hit a two-run homer, but they lost 4-3.  John Smoltz was confused during one at bat when there were batters in both batters’ boxes.  That was the result one of those new automatic intentional walks.

Not really interested in the game, I started flipping stations and ran into a Mexican baseball league home run hitting contest.  Yes, it was just like the MLB, except Chris Berman wasn’t there saying, “Back, back, back!”  It was a packed house at the stadium.  There were a bunch of costumed team mascots on the field.  The guys hitting there could definitely mash.  They were using the old-style home run derby rules.  They advertised their All-Star game for Sunday, so I’ll have to look for that.

In Fresno, an electric guitar, Jimi Hendrix-inspired National Anthem started the game.  Unfortunately, the Chihuahuas seemed to be sleepwalking and lost 6-1.  Tim Hagerty got irritated by the constant and weird sound effects by the PA.

Baseball Journal June 2017 Part 2

6-6-17
On the MLB free game, the Astros were leading comfortably against the Royals until Alex Gordon tripped over home plate to tie the score at seven.  The Astros had had a six run lead.  Mike Moustakas homered in the ninth for a 9-7 win and snapped Houston’s 11-game winning streak.  At least Royals fans will have this game to look back on at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, light-hitting infielder, Scooter Gennett, hit four home runs for Cincinnati against St. Louis.  His final line was five hits and 10 RBI’s.  Four homers in a game is actually a rarer feat than a perfect game.

6-7-17
6-5 win for the Chihuahuas over the Isotopes in Albuquerque.  I had to listen through heavy static from a storm in the area, but I was glad I did.  The pups were down 5-1 in the seventh, but managed to get the score to 5-4 going into the ninth.  The Isotopes loaded the bases in the sixth, seventh, and eighth without scoring.  With runners on first and second, there was a clutch single on a full count with two out, that tied the score.  A wild pitch brought in a runner from third for the lead.  The Isotopes led off the bottom of the ninth with a triple, but closer, Phil Maton, stranded him there for the win.  Tim Hagerty called this “The best game of the season.”

6-8-17
Today was a day game for the Chihuahuas versus the Isotopes in Albuquerque.  Manager Rod Barajas was hit on the hand by a foul ball while coaching third.  Tim Hagerty was immediately concerned as Rod didn’t just laugh it off, since it was a hit by one of his own players.  He stayed out for the inning, but went into the dugout and didn’t return for the rest of the game.  Albuquerque’s manager, Glenallen Hill, got ejected in between the eighth and ninth, after an ongoing argument, so both managers weren’t involved in the end.

The Isotopes had the lead late, but after a double, River Stevens was down to his final strike for the last out.  A disputed check swing gave him new life, and he singled to tie the game.  Another single brought in the go-ahead run.  The Chihuahuas must be living right, as they won 5-4.  Albuquerque’s closer was the second best in the league behind the Chihuahuas’ Phil Maton, so these two comebacks were pretty impressive.      

6-9-17
This was migration night at work and the functional end of my main job there.  At least the ballgames were interesting.  The Rangers beat the Nationals  5-1 (I think) behind seven strong innings by Andrew Cashner.  The only blemish was an inexplicable dropped fly ball by Jered Hoying that would have ended the game.  No harm done though.

Meanwhile in El Paso, because of all of the confusion at work, I missed most of the Chihuahuas’ game versus the Grizzlies.  This was not the game to have missed.  The pups were down 4-3 early, but then in the fourth there was an eight-run explosion to give the Chihuahuas a comfortable lead.  They had a ten-run lead until the sixth, when the Surfin’ Bears (my nickname for them) put up six runs.  Even in the ninth, it wasn’t over as the Grizzlies scored twice and left the tying runs on base.  14-12 Chihuahuas.  The fans in attendance got their money’s worth.

6-10-17
It was noon in Washington DC and 10:00 am here for the next game between the Rangers and Nationals.  “It’s like watching the game from an airplane,” complained Eric Nadel.  The guys are really unhappy with the pressbox at the stadium.  I remember watching Cubs’ games where the announcers were making similar comments.  Matt Hicks continued his fascination with the Presidents’ Race.  They also had an interesting discussion about umpire accuracy and the possibility of an electronic strike zone.  Current officiating is judged to be at 88%.

In other words, nothing much was happening.  In the fifth, Martin Perez loaded the bases with no outs.  There was even an error on a foul pop up.  Somehow, he got out of it.  In the sixth, Adam Lind hit a two-run homer as part of a three-run inning for the Nats.  3-1 at that point.  Jared Sandler mentioned Adam West had died today in an update.  I even saw this story on Mexican TV later in the day.

In the ninth, Shin-Soo Choo hit a home run.  Nomar Mazara hit a double to drive in a run to tie it.  They would have gotten the lead, but for an overturned call.  In the bottom, a lead-off double was stranded at third, and we went to extras.  In the eleventh, Robinson Chirinos hit a three-run homer just over the wall and a leaping outfielder.  Keone Kela locked it down in the bottom, striking out the side.  6-3 Rangers win.

In the Fox pre-game recaps of earlier games, I noticed an interesting contrast.  In San Francisco, there was another full house, though the team is crappy.  At the Braves’ new stadium, it was barely occupied.  Admittedly, their team isn’t all that great either.  The featured game was the Yankees against the Orioles.  The game was functionally over so quick, if you blinked you missed it.  Man-child-giant Aaron Judge blasted a homer in the first with two outs and floodgates opened.  I didn’t even write down the final.  It was in double digits.

It didn’t go better in El Paso, where the Grizzlies hit six home runs and won the game 9-5.  It shouldn’t have been that close, but the Surfin’ Bears committed an inexcusable four errors in the seventh inning, resulting in five Chihuahuas’ runs.  It still never felt like their lead was in jeopardy.  

Baseball Journal June 2017 Part 1

6-1-17
I came in in the eighth of the Chihuahuas playing the Salt Lake City Bees in El Paso.  The Bees led 10-0 after three innings, but the pups came back to make it 10-8 by the end of the inning.  In the ninth, the Bees tacked on a run.  In the bottom, the Chihuahuas scored twice, before making an out.  Tim Hagerty and the fans went crazy.  Unfortunately, the Bees squeaked out an 11-10 win.  Still, a very exciting comeback.

6-2-17
Why was I watching a 9-0 Giants over the Phillies game?  Mostly because Jon Miller was doing the game call.  Ty Blach threw a 9 inning shutout with a 10-0 final.  It was quiet enough in the stadium by the end to clearly hear the heckling of angry Philly fans.  Meanwhile, the Rangers released their former closer, Sam Dyson.  He’d done a really good job last year, but had clearly lost his stuff.  Shin-Soo Choo blogged about Dyson’s exit from the clubhouse.  Contrary to the saying, there were many tears shed between Sam and his teammates.  “Sometimes, I hate baseball,” wrote Choo.  Something to think about.

6-3-17
Miami Marlin, Edinson Volquez threw a no-hitter versus the D-Backs.  What was interesting was that he only needed 98 pitches.  Watching the highlights in the Fox pre-game, it was obvious that the Arizona players were not seeing the ball well.  Batters were swinging at balls that nearly bounced up to the plate.  Edinson dedicated the win to his departed countrymen, Jose Fernandez and Yordano Ventura.

This Saturday’s Fox game was the Rangers versus the Astros.  For some reason, I felt compelled to take notes on just about every inning in this game.  Joe Buck wasn’t doing this game, so I actually enjoyed it.  The ballpark at Arlington was full with the fans mostly in red.  There was smattering of Astros fans sprinkled throughout the crowd.

The bottom of the first featured Adrian Beltre doing his usual on deck photobombing.  If he stood any closer to the plate doing his practice swings, he’d be getting called for strikes.  Two pitches went through Astros’ catcher, Brian McCann’s, legs, but were scored as wild pitches, instead of passed balls.  1-0 Rangers.

The top of the second showed a view of one of the ballpark kitchens.  Gigantic “boom stick” hot dogs and shish kabobs were frying a big circular grill.  Everyone watching the game at home, now wished they were at be at the ballpark.  Astro, Carlos Beltran, hit an upper deck home run that was immediately thrown back.

Top of the third happens without my viewing as a bunch of local commercials ran over the start of the inning.  Thanks KFOX.  The Astros score four runs on five singles, a walk, and a wild pitch.  In the bottom, new Hall of Famer, Pudge Rodriguez comes into the booth for an all-too brief chat.  One of the hosts completely geeked out on meeting him.  Good to see that not everyone in the business is completely jaded.  He talked a bit about catching Nolan Ryan.  Meanwhile, Astros starter, Lance McCullars, struck out the side for the inning.  He’d gotten five “K’s” in a row.

The top of the fifth ended with Beltre hugging it out with Beltran on a groundout.  It was a friendly sort of tag.  The bottom of the inning came back with The Game Has Changed as the intro music.  More of that please.  George Springer laid out diving for a sure double to center field by Shin-Soo Choo and saved a couple of runs.  But that was just temporary, as Elvis Andrus would drive them in on the next at bat.  Beltre then drove Elvis in to chase McCullars from the game.  5-4 Astros.

In the bottom of the sixth, a swarm of gnats attacked Astros’ reliever Chris Devenski on the mound.  He pitched through it.  Jose Leclerc came in for the Rangers in the seventh.  There was a discussion of the team releasing Sam Dyson.  I thought the crowd was rising for a strike on a check swing, but they were actually doing the wave.  In the bottom, Luke Gregerson accidentally dropped the ball while in the set position with Andrus on.  That was a balk and the first of his long career.

Why is NBC not showing the Stanley Cup finals tonight!  Just had to get that out.  Top of the eighth, a foul ball bounced off a fan’s chest in the upper deck and fell to the lower deck.  He was okay.  He had a broad chest.  The fan only got upset later when Keone Kela balked a runner over.              

Top of the ninth, Elvis made a couple of great plays at shortstop, but Jose Altuve hit a leadoff home run.  In the bottom, Beltre took a moment from posing in the on deck circle to toss a foul ball to the fans.  That was nice of him.  He was also the only Ranger without a strikeout tonight.  He drove in Elvis again.  Delino Deshields got on and distracted Astro’s closer Ken Giles, but Roughned Odor struck out to end the game.  That was the eighteenth for the team.  6-5 Astros final and a pretty entertaining game.  

Meanwhile, the Chihuahuas lost 11-1 to the Bees in El Paso.  When the pups scored their run late in the game, Tim Hagerty reported that a sarcastic cheer went up from the crowd.  This game was on for an hour and they were in the fourth inning.  The Rangers game took three hours to get to the seventh.

6-4-17
On the Rangers’ radio broadcast, Eric Nadel reminisced about meeting Mr. Met as a youth.  He was more excited at the time than getting Tug McGraw’s autograph.  The current Mr. Met’s firing over some bad fan interaction was the spark for the conversation.  Eric was surprised to learn the Mr. Met had finally tied the knot with Mrs. Met.

With that anecdote, you can guess the game was a bit of a blow out, as the Astros beat the Rangers, 7-2, for a three-game sweep.  There was a constant threat of rain during the game, and it finally came near the end of the game, but the umps were not going to prolong the agony with a delay.  Eric and Matt Hicks spent most of the game talking about the Astros, as the Rangers seemed to have given up.

Meanwhile, the Chihuahuas won 5-2 over the Bees in front of a quiet crowd.

6-5-17
The Chihuahuas played the Isotopes in Albuquerque in extremely windy conditions.  It must have been blowing in, as it knocked down some sure home runs.  As it was, the teams had little trouble scoring.  The pups led 10-1 in the fourth.  The Isotopes did score six over the last three innings to make it closer.  The Chihuahuas’ closer had to come in for the final out in a 10-7 win.  This game was also the debut of River Stevens with the team.  What a name!

The Chihuahuas’ Twitter feed featured this pic for National Donut day.  That’s a donut cheeseburger with fries.  I sense an addition to some ballpark’s menu.

Baseball Journal May 2017 Part 2

5-9-17

The Chihuahuas were having their final game in Nashville versus the Sounds.  Tim Hagerty, in a somewhat tired voice, reported that it was “Bark at the park” day at the ballpark.  Opposing teams apparently often schedule this event for visits by the Chihuahuas.  Tim is understandably tired of the gag.  Their PA was occasionally playing a doorbell sound effect to try to get the dogs in attendance to bark.  As for the game, the pups went ahead, gave it up, but got two runs in the ninth to win 8-6 to continue a modest three-game winning streak.

5-11-17 

WAC Softball Tournament 5-11-17

After watching the WAC Softball Tournament results, I checked in on the Rangers and the A’s.  Mike Napoli hit a three-run homer in the eighth to give the Rangers a 5-2 lead.  Check that.  It was actually the ninth and that was a walk-off win.  I should pay better attention.

Right after, I watched the MLB free game between the White Sox and Twins.  It was the ninth, and not between teams I care about (and no Hawk Harrelson), but why not?  “You’re only 60’ away!  Throw strikes!  You suck!”  Wow, those South Side fans are rough on their own team.  I’m actually guessing it was a guy in a Mets’ jersey sitting in the front row that was doing the jazzing.  Third party gear at a ballpark?  Lame, dude.  I knew so few guys on the White Sox, I may as well have been watching their Triple-A team.  And the game ended with the Twins winning.  Check that.  It was actually the eighth.  I don’t bother watching the rest.  Whoo.  Apparently, it was a long day for me.     

5-12-17

WAC Softball Tournament 5-12-17

I was keeping up with WAC Softball Tournament for most of the day, but got in some baseball.  The MLB free game featured the Royals and the Orioles.  I’m always happy to see the Royals playing in KC.  The main highlight of the game occurred after a Brandon Moss home run into the fountain pool for the Royals.  The camera immediately caught some guy swimming around trying to find the ball in the pool.  He was in there for several minutes before he found it.  It was nice of security to at least get it before he was presumably arrested.  Royals win 3-2.

Watching Gameday, I caught the bottom of the ninth between the Rangers and the A’s.  The Rangers were down a run until Mike Napoli sacrificed in the tying run.  Joey Gallo then ended it on the three-run homer, their second walk-off homer in a row.  Meanwhile in Chicago, Aggie Baseball won 15-3 over Chicago State.  I learn this via the team’s Twitter feed, the only way to follow the guys this weekend.

5-13-17

WAC Softball Tournament 5-13-17

  

5-16-17

I was still watching and listening to baseball for the last three days, but after the Aggies’ dramatic WAC Softball Tournament win, nothing else seemed worth writing about by comparison.  Here was something: an 11-11 tie in the eighth between the Chihuahuas and the Sky Sox.  The pups had made a three-run comeback and a four-run comeback in this game to tie it.  In the top of the ninth, the Sox pitcher, in his first pro at bat, singled in the go-ahead run.  This was followed by a three-run homer.  It was a cold night and a four+ hour nine-inning game.  The crowd justifiably boo’ed the 11-15 loss.

I sort of watched the MLB free game earlier where Yu Darvish fanned nine over seven innings, giving up one run, in a 5-1 Rangers win over the Phillies.  He’s finally getting wins to go with the pitching performances this season.

5-18-17

I caught the end of the Tigers beating the O’s in the MLB free game matinee.  The story for me was that 32,000 showed up for a day game.  Admittedly, it was a really beautiful game there.  The Rangers won their ninth in a row!  They’re finally over .500!

Crap!  I forgot Aggie baseball was on tonight!  (Suddenly, I’m exploding with exclamations!)  Thursday is not a usual game day for them.  It was a back and forth game, and I ended up staying at work late to listen to the end.  Ruger Rodriguez would finish the game with two on and a one run lead for a 9-8 win.  Whew!  That took 20 minutes to play out. 

5-19-17

NCAA Softball Tournament 5-19-17

It was a long night at work, but at least I had plenty of baseball to watch.  The Chihuahuas had a one run lead in the eighth against the Oklahoma City Dodgers, after coming back from five down.  By the end of the inning, they had exploded for nine runs, sending 12 batters to the plate.  Needless to say, they won.  The Rangers won their tenth in a row.  Aggie baseball won 10-4, still in the hunt for a share of the conference championship. 

5-20-17

NM State Aggies vs CSU-Bakersfield Roadrunners Baseball 5-20-17

NCAA Softball Tournament 5-20-17

The Fox game was the Rangers versus the Tigers.  I just got home from the Aggie game in time for it.  Unfortunately, the Rangers didn’t show up in a 9-3 loss that wasn’t even that close.  I ended up watching the playoff hockey.  After an empty-netter made the score 3-1 Nashville up on Anaheim, with 9 seconds left and epic fight broke out between the teams.  Penalties may have been issued for the next game, but for now, there were a few ejections, and the game was allowed to finish.

5-21-17

I had no baseball during the day, so it was a long, boring day writing up yesterday’s Aggie game.  Finally, the Chihuahuas came on in the evening.  The dogs managed to claw their way back into the game and force it into extras, but lost in the tenth, 5-4.  But the highlight was definitely Tim Hagerty talking to a Chico’s Kid’s Club member in the booth.  Whenever he does this, it’s usually very cute, and this time was no exception.  The little girl mentioned she’d got a ball today.  “That’s big news.  Why didn’t you say something before?”  Its obvious Tim loves chatting with the kids.       

5-24-17

The Aggie Baseball Twitter feed posted this picture of two of last years' alumni, Tyler Erwin and Daniel Johnson, meeting on field before their minor league teams played each other.  This picture just makes me happy.  It's everything right with baseball in general.     

5-25-17

WAC Baseball Tournament 5-25-17 

5-26-17

WAC Baseball Tournament 5-26-17

5-27 to 29-17

Memorial Day Weekend

5-31-17

The day before I was listening to a Chihuahua’s day game at work until the Internet connection got shutdown for testing.  Later, when it was back up, I watched the Cardinals and Dodgers.  Unfortunately, the Cards lost in pretty pedestrian way.  I didn’t even bother writing my aunt in Missouri, who was probably watching.

Today, the last day of the month, there was no Chihuahua’s baseball to keep me company for a long night at work.  However, the MLB free game was the Indians and the A’s, which I came in to halfway.  First, I was really pleased to see such a good crowd at the Jake (I’m not using the new name).  Second, there was a striking brunette behind the Indians’ dugout that kept showing up on camera.  I can’t even remember the last time I noticed a hottie in the crowd on a TV ballgame.  Are they not coming out anymore? 

The hosts were trying to get more Indians into the All-Star Game.  Beyond Francisco Lindor, good luck.  Speaking of the soon-to-be All-Star shortstop, he was the only hitter to have any success against A’s starter, Sean Manaea, to the tune of a home run.  The A’s got three runs off of two home runs and that was that.  3-1 A’s.  A Khris Davis error in the outfield on what would have been the final out, only toyed with our emotions.  

Memorial Day Weekend 2017 Part 3

Continued from Part 2

5-29-17, Monday

Amazing what some good sleep will do for your attitude.  Not to mention, MeTV just started showing Remington Steele again in the mornings, one of my favorite shows.  Just to continue the roll, I was encouraged enough that I finally left the apartment for an excellent lunch at Schlotzsky’s.  This trip was tinged with melancholy as this was the road I took to go to the university, and I could see the Pan-Am Center out the restaurant window.  I was reminded that there weren’t going to be any more games to see for a couple of months, perhaps longer, if my job resolves badly.   

Sportswise, I made a half-hearted attempt at watching French Open tennis, but I only lasted two points.  I didn’t know the players, and they were playing listlessly in some bad heat.  (And the girls weren’t attractive.)  I flipped on KROD ESPN Radio early, hoping that they’d pick up an afternoon MLB game.  I heard a talk host actually begging people to watch the NBA finals.  Later, they were praising one of the players for being selfish and not caring about the fans’ opinions.  I was laughing so hard at this unintentional comedy, I could barely see to type.  Unfortunately, no game came on.  My afternoon was boring to say the least.      

While waiting for the evening Rangers game, I listened to Foxsports Radio briefly.  The idiots there debated on how unpopular all other sports, such as the Indy 500 and hockey, are compared to the NFL and NBA.  Sports radio jockeys view all sports through the lens of TV ratings and The Agenda, and those are all the criteria that matter in judging sports.  Racing and hockey don’t register in either category and just serve as punching bags to puff up their approved sports.  Baseball just barely meets the threshold, and since ESPN and Fox both broadcast games.  They criticize the sport incessantly, but can’t completely bury it.  The Agenda, you ask?  It’s the subtle and not subtle societal checkboxes that the news, sports, entertainment, and most of Internet industrial complex promote constantly.  You can figure out those items for yourself.

The 100-th Stanley Cup finals Game 1 was between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins.  This was the Predators first appearance in the finals, and I’d chosen them to root for.  I don’t see enough hockey to really have any favorites, though I do have a distaste for the Penguins.  Their captain, Sydney Crosby, did something during the Olympics for Team Canada a while back that pissed me off, and I’ve never liked him since.  I can’t even remember what.

PK Suban of the Predators was heavily promoted in the opening promotional shots.  He did score the first goal of the game, which was unfortunately waved off, after a 20-minute review, for offsides.  Already, I found myself disenchanted by the game.  Late in the first period, two Predators were put in the penalty box, giving the Pens a 5 on 3 for two minutes, which scored the game’s first goal.  The Penguins would then go on and score two more in the period for a 3-0 lead.  The refs had done all they could for them.

My threshold for watching hockey generally ends when one team goes up by three.  I flipped over to watch the hot little party girls on Chic Music on a Juarez station, but continued to flip back just to check in.  Nashville scored one in the second period, but I still wasn’t interested.  Late in the third, the Predators made it 3-2.  With five minutes left, the score was tied, and I started watching again.  Unfortunately, there was a breakaway in the Nashville zone that led to a Pittsburgh goal two minutes later.  Then there was an empty-netter with a minute left that sealed the game.  5-3 and the Penguins go up one in the series. 

Meanwhile in Arlington, the Rangers played the Tampa Bay Rays.  Today was the return of the captain, Adrian Beltre.  He got a big hand from the crowd for his first at bat of the season.  Beltre got a hit as part of a three-run first inning.  His infield buddy, Elvis Andrus, had an eventful third.  He got caught stealing from first, but got back on a bad throw.  He stole third on a bad jump.  His luck ran out, as Elvis tried to take home on a fielder’s choice.  The fielder even had a moment of indecision before finally throwing him out as Elvis tried to get back to third. 

Joey Gallo hit a golf shot home run to lead off the second.  Gallo was now playing in the outfield and would later make a great out there after hitting a double in the fourth.  Late in the game, after I had missed a few innings, Matt Hicks was saying he’d never had a longer discussion about a foul ball during a break.  Intrigued, I kept listening for an explanation, but all I got was something about a Gallo foul ball clearing the stadium.  That couldn’t be right.  I looked it up the next day (Joey Gallo foul ball), and indeed, he had fouled one over the three-deck stadium to right field, almost hitting the lights.  The crowd gasped and applauded it.  Unbelievable.          

Matt had some interesting comments about strikeouts.  The Rangers, in spite of Gallo, don’t actually lead the league in “K’s.”  The Rays and Tigers are on top of that list, and it’s not even close.  Eric Nadel expressed concern about Matt’s comment that the Rays also have the slowest working staff in baseball.  I thought this game was moving slowly.  Not to mention, later this week, they’ll be playing against Yu Darvish, one of the slowest working pitchers in baseball.  I noticed that Gordon Beckham was playing second for the Rays.  I thought about that for a minute and went back and checked.  Yes, last month he was playing in Triple-A against the Diablos at a game I was at. 

I tuned back into the Rangers’ game on another station in the seventh.  I was just in time to hear the Rays tie the score at 7 via a Colby Rasmus hit.  Wait, The Lizzie Bennett Diaries is on.  All sports entertainment must cease for a half hour.  Okay, I’m back.  In the eighth, the Rangers were now down 10-7.  In the bottom, Shin-Soo Choo hit a mammoth home run into the top row of home run porch, 10-8.  In the ninth, the Rangers struck out to end game.  10-8 Rays was the final. 

At the same time the local signal faded on the Rangers, I picked up the start of the Chihuahuas’ game on another station.  It was 97 degrees at the start of the game in the late evening in Las Vegas.  Tim Hagerty mentioned a misting system over the stands I think, which I’m sure they needed.  The 51’s came out hot and scored four runs before the first out.  Jose Pirela would get the scoring started for the pups with a two-run homer.  He’s really becoming a standout on the team.         

I later rejoined the Chihuahuas up 5-4.  A bottom of the seventh error tied game.  Suddenly, it’s ESPN Radio for 10 minutes.  Who are the clowns running KROD?  This is the second time they’ve done this, this weekend.  Not to mention, they keep running commercial breaks in the middle of MLB games.  That one isn’t an accident.  It’s a management decision.  They don’t this amateur-hour stuff during NFL broadcasts.  Oh great, and now its 7-5, 51’s in the top of the eighth.  After a three-run homer in the bottom, the game was basically over.  10-5, 51’s beat the Chihuahuas. 

All the teams I was rooting for today, lost.  That’s the way it goes.  A bit of a bummer way to end my favorite holiday weekend.  That was three races and seven ball games in three days.  Once again, I’m exhausted by the end of it.  Not quite as beat up as last year’s trip to Denver to see the Rockies and Giants though, but still worried about my job, just like last year.  No wonder I take my sports seriously.  I’m trying to forget about my work life.  Hopefully, I’ll still be able to do this again next year.             

Memorial Day Weekend 2017 Part 2

Continued from Part 1

5-28-17, Sunday

I’m going to start this by quoting an exchange between Daryl Waltrip and Larry McReynolds from later in the day.

DW: “I was up at 6:00 in the morning to watch that F1 race from Monaco.” 

Larry Mac: “Knowing you as I do Daryl.  I doubt you were even aware that God made two different 6:00’s in a day.  I think you watched it on TiVo.”

It was a beautiful late spring afternoon in the principality of Monaco, 1:30 pm local time.  Meanwhile, here in Las Cruces, New Mexico, it was 5:30 am and pitch black.  Like a car crash, it wasn’t the impact, it was the sudden stop that hurt worse.  Not only was I having work-related insomnia, my alarm went off and woke me up from a dream, where I was dreaming that I had already woken up.  With that context, I was barely conscious for the race and, as you might imagine, for the rest of the day.

The Monaco Grand Prix is a high-speed parade.  You wouldn’t mistake freeway traffic for a race, but at least you’d see cars passing each other.  No, as hard as the drivers are working out on track, this is just for show, and they know it.  The show here is the glamour of the setting.  Nowhere else is a race held in such an incredible setting with high-priced apartments and hotels overlooking a harbor filled with huge, luxury yachts.  No matter how little racing action you get for the race, you will get what you came for in the view.

The pre-race for this race is always worthwhile.  Reporter, Will Buxton, had a frenetic grid walk that showcased the unlikely nature of the city hosting this event in such cramped quarters.  He chatted with Lindsey Vonn briefly on track.  What’s Monaco without some celebrity sightings?  (Actually, it’d still be pretty impressive.)  I also learned a bit.  While you can pay over $1,000 for standing room only in a VIP suite overlooking the track, but the best view of the race is actually a public park hill that gave one views of the best corners of the race.

I knew that Fernando Alonso wasn’t going to be at the race, since he was going to be at Indy, but I didn’t know that Jenson Button would be taking his place.  I didn’t know what had become of my favorite F1 driver this season, since I hadn’t kept up with the series at all this year.  Jenson was starting the race from pit lane because of a 15-place grid penalty.  I never found out what the penalty was for.  Changing drivers?  Right before the race (literally right before), Fernando called Jenson in the car as he sat in the car at the end of pit lane, waiting for the start.  “Is it okay if I pee in your seat?” said Jenson.  I think I heard that right, but it was funny either way.  It was a pleasant exchange and kind of cool.

Kimi Raikkonen started the race on pole for Ferrari.  His teammate and points leader, Sebastian Vettel was beside him, locking out the front row.  The Tifosi were ecstatic and Prancing Horse flags and gear were everywhere.  Ahem, as opposed to every other Formula 1 race, really?  Okay, Ferrari fans are omnipresent at any given race, but they were happier today. 

Here’s everything I got out of the race.  I was reminded that Kimi had actually raced NASCAR trucks for Kyle Busch a couple of years ago.  Ferrari wasn’t happy with his previous performances, so this pole was good for his career with them.  There’s a new TV aerial hoop on the back of the cars, perhaps to improve reception.  Vettel got ahead Kimi about halfway through the race after a pit stop and would win the race.  (There might have been some team orders involved.)  Jenson made what was probably an unwise move and put another car on its side into a barrier near the end of the race.  It was especially unwise given that he was in last place, the car in front of him was going to be penalized at the end of the race anyway, and it was likely his last F1 race. 

Not the greatest two hours I’ve spent before watching a race.  Jenson’s wreck was definitely disappointing given that the F1 feed was clearly giving him some extra time based on his status, more than his performance.  Then I discovered that the race was being carried on delay on Uni-Mas, so I could have slept in for another hour and a half and still seen the race.  Sigh.

A couple of hours later, it was Indy-time.  The best part of the pre-race coverage was an interview with a guy who'd been injured at the Boston Marathon bombing, Jeff Bauman, and an actor, Jake Gyllenhaal, who would be playing him in a movie about to be released.  They were going to be waving the green flags to start the race.  The young man was described as a "victim" and "survivor," but he seemed just like a totally regular Bostonian, who happened to have two metal legs.  Really, that Northeastern attitude came right through, regardless of his personal circumstances, seemingly unaffected.  "Boston Strong," indeed.

Dennis Leary introduced the drivers for the Indy 500 over a pre-recorded video.  This was a definite change from the usual live introductions to the crowd.  “No one was happier to see Tony Kanaan win the Indy 500 than Vin Diesel, who finally got his face on the Borg-Warner Trophy.”  There was a side-by-side picture of the two that did indeed show that they were likely “separated at birth.”  In spite of the loss of the spectacle of the live, public introduction to the crowd, I have to admit, this was an upgrade.  Not an upgrade per se, but a necessary change (given Jim Nabors’ retirement), the Chicago Blackhawks’ anthem singer sang Back Home in Indiana to the roar of the crowd as he held the last note for over 10 seconds.                                  

Fernando Alonso had been the biggest story for race fans leading up to the 500.  It’s not every day that an F1 champion skips the biggest race on the F1 calendar to come to your race instead.  For everyone else, the biggest story was Scott Dixon.  A couple of hours after he’d won the pole last week, he was robbed at gunpoint at a Taco Bell.  My main comment on that was, “What’s a guy who’s a tri-athlete like Scott Dixon doing at a fast food restaurant?”    

Memorial Day Weekend Sunday, as far as motorsports go, is essentially one great race bookended by two bad races.  The Indy 500 isn’t so much a race as an ongoing tragedy with a happy ending for only one of the participants.  The commentators will remind the viewers constantly of the drivers’ history at the racetrack.  It’s the backstory that makes success, or more likely failure, much more poignant.

Fernando hung back at the start of the race, but by lap 30 he was leading.  Our first tragedy happened about lap 50.  Dixon got caught up in another driver’s wreck and got the worst of it.  His car flipped in the air, hit the top of the fence, tore the back end of his car off and exploded, and then his cockpit skipped down the track.  He got out and limped away to the ambulance, unhurt except for a twisted ankle.  After he was released from the care center, Dixon was remarkably non-pulsed by the incident.  Even though he won the pole position, this clearly wasn’t his week.

During the red flag cleanup, the Rangers and Blue Jays game started on the radio.  Actually, I turned on the radio about five minutes early and had to listen to a couple of Foxsports Radio idiots debating how great LeBron was.  Was he simply great, or was he super-duper great, or was he the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time).  The NBA finals don’t start till Thursday.  There’s going to be four more days of this without any actual game analysis.  Little wonder I stopped listening to sports talk radio.  When the game came on (15 minutes late into the game thanks to the local affiliates’ incomprehensible scheduling), Eric Nadel was clearly getting tired of the Toronto crowd.  It was another sell-out (partly thanks to a cowboy hat giveaway), and their boo’ing and cheering was becoming obnoxious.   

Here’s where I started drifting off, and the race faded in and out of my awareness.  Winner from a couple of years ago, Ryan Hunter-Ray, got knocked out, but that’s all I registered.  I made sure I was awake for the end.  With 21 laps to go, Alonso’s engine gave way.  He stopped near the front straight and received a standing ovation.  Alonso waved to the crowd and even slapped a few fans’ hands on his way back to the pits.  I don’t know if he’ll be back, but he’d had a good time.  There was a five car wreck soon after.  With 10 to go, Helio Castroneves passed unlikely leader Max Chilton to the roar of the crowd.  He was going for his fourth trophy. 

But with five laps to go, Takuma Sato passed Helio , and he won the 101-st Indianapolis 500.  Michael Andretti, winless at the big race as a driver, had won another Indy as an owner.  Sato was, of course, happy as heck in Victory Lane, as he’d been denied in 2012 with an overly optimistic move at the end of that race.  Taku would now be a national hero in Japan, I’m guessing.  I saw Dario Franchitti give him congratulations there.  Sato was an F1 teammate of Jenson’s several years ago.  Maybe this will inspire him to give racing in the US a shot.  In an interview, Jenson did express interest in NASCAR.            

As the race wound down, the Rangers won their game 3-1.  Same score as yesterday, but a different result.  Joey Gallo hit an opposite field, lasershot home run in the game.  I joined a Chihuahuas’ game in progress.  It was the sixth, and they were down 0-2.  Steven Matz, on rehab from the Mets, had pitched five perfect innings for the Las Vegas 51’s. 

With him out of the game, the Chihuahuas started hitting.  Tim Hagerty called the 51’s catcher attempting to throw his mask at a batted ball.  As Tim pointed out, if he’d succeeded, it would have been a two-base error.  The dogs managed to load the bases and hit a grand slam to take the lead, 5-2.  Unfortunately, the 51’s tied it the next inning.  I was reading my Baseball America from yesterday in the meantime, and caught an amusing correction: “The Jim Marshall mentioned in the last issue’s obituaries is actually alive and well.  It was different Jim Marshall who had died.”  The 51’s went up by two in the eighth.  The pups loaded the bases in the ninth, but 5-7 in favor of the 51’s would be the final score.

The Coca-Cola 600 pre-race started just before the game ended.  The most interesting news I got from it was that next year, Charlotte’s “playoff” race would be held on the track’s “roval” configuration.  All of the racing pundits who want more road races will be thrilled.  I’m not convinced it’s the way to go (cf. Champ Car and Indy Car). 

During the first green flag commercial break (which didn’t take long, thanks Fox), I went to the kitchen to make a sandwich for dinner.  (I’d meant to go out for lunch or dinner, but never actually made it out of my apartment for the entire day.  I was too knackered.)  When I returned there was some sort of multi-car wreck, including Chase Elliot catching on fire.  My viewing never recovered.  There was one aspect of Fox’s broadcast that I approved of; they were doing “fan-cam” shots of happy kids and families taking in the race at the stadium.  About damn time.

Heavy clouds were clearly in the background.  Part-time weatherman, Michael Waltrip, said there was a small shower on the way as the race was stopped.  I flipped around stations.  I returned to witness a deluge in the background as Chris Meyers interviewed Noah, who assured him that it was just a small shower, comparatively.  While the rain delay played out, I tuned into the Pirates versus the Mets on ESPN Radio.  After several problems on KROD’s behalf (interrupting commercials, station going completely off the air), I gave up on the game late.  It was 7-1 Mets in the eighth.  It wasn’t much of the game, but hosts’ conversation was fairly interesting.

I watched the final laps of the 600 intently.  Jimmie Johnson’s car ran out of gas with two laps left.  Austin Dillon, on the same strategy, took over the lead and won.  He ran dry as he crossed the finish line.  Austin didn’t have enough fuel for a burnout and him and the crew had to push the car to Victory Lane.  Kyle Busch finished in second and Martin Truex, who’d dominated much of the race, finished third.  This was Dillon’s first Cup win and a return to victory for the famous #3 car, Earnhardt Sr.’s number.  In the interview, his fiancé had told him that, “If you put God first, good things happen.”  Seeing her hot self afterward, I’d say good things had already happened to him.  “We are partying tonight!” Austin Dillon told to his crew, almost out of microphone’s range.  “We are going to bed!” said an exhausted JDH417.

Continued in Part 3

Memorial Day Weekend 2017 Part 1

5-27-17, Saturday

After another great night at work, where I’m there till one in the morning, I started off my favorite holiday weekend of the year with a morning baseball game between the Rangers and the Blue Jays.  Unfortunately, the Rangers seemed more tired than I was in a 3-1 loss, their fifth in a row, after winning 10 in a row. 

The Rangers’ one run came on a Shin-Soo Choo first pitch homer.  Yu Darvish hit two batters in the first two innings of this still contentious rivalry.  Both managers and the ump had discussions.  I kept listening, waiting for fireworks, but all I got was a Jose Bautista three-run homer, the Blue Jays only scoring.  Still, it was a nice quiet morning listening to a ballgame while I pounded out stuff on a keyboard.  All in all, it was a pleasant way to start the holiday.

Restless, I hopped over to the mall.  There I picked up the latest Baseball America issue.  BA is usually way too into the weeds for a casual fan, such as myself.  But after the non-stop, agenda-driven propaganda of my free Sports Illustrated subscription, I was willing to pay for good sporting news.  This particular issue featured the Braves’ new ballpark and some other interesting-looking articles.

I got back in time for Fox’s Baseball Night in America between the Dodgers and the Cubs.  Unfortunately, not only did I not get the Astros’ game, I had to listen to Joe Buck.  He turned out to be less irritating than usual today.  The teams were wearing olive green camo hats, along with their letters and patches in green for Memorial Day.  I swear I saw the kid that plays “Archie” from Riverdale in the front row, but didn’t see him again.  (I also doubt he goes with that red hair when not shooting.) 

It was 5-0 Dodgers in the fifth and that turned out to be the final, as the Cubs didn’t show up.  Their pitcher, John Lackey, had the most memorable moment, as he argued with the ump after striking out.  “Is that wise?” asked Buck to his co-host, John Smoltz.  “No,” he replied. 

At least the game had the good taste to finish right before the Chihuahuas game started.  They were playing in front of a full house (8,000+) in Las Vegas, which surprised Tim Hagerty.  In the third, the radio call suddenly went to ESPN Radio, where they were breaking down The Bachelorette.  No, really.  I wanted to turn it off so bad, but I hung in there for an eternity, or 10 to 15 minutes, until the game back. 

That was a good thing.  It was a heck of a game.  By the sixth, it was 7-5 Chihuahuas.  In the bottom of the seventh, with the pups up by three, the 51’s loaded the bases, but only one run scored.  That would turn out to be last score as the Chihuahuas won 8-6.  The remaining crowd boo’ed.  Tim said that the crowd in Vegas was notoriously rough.  Another fun fact from Tim, because of the time difference, the team flight arrived in Las Vegas at the same time they left Salt Lake City.   

Continued in Part 2