Watching the Team for One last Time

As I change into my uniform of red shirt, red cap, pink Olympic backback and a big broad smile, I almost gallup to the subway, on the way stopping for my ritual sandwich at 7-11. The smile is tempered by a touch of sweet sadness in recognition that I am on my way to the last homegame. It is like the last day of the swim club season, which comes as fall is just announcing itself by shortened days and slightly cooler evenings. I look for my 'tribe' as the subways fill up with Phillies phans, tonight being even more special because it is Drexel student night.
At the ballpark, I walk around the whole park taking in the noise and the smells and the anticipation.

Before the game, The Drexel acapella group sings the National anthem,and  the Drexel mascot struts his stuff. A nice addition to this beautiful night, sitting in the 315 section between home plate and 1st. Once again our neighbors are regulars, our view is terrific, the sky clear.

Peter and I each went to about 8 games this year, 4 of them together. As disappointing as the whole season was for the Phillies record, I have some lovely memories that helped me through a difficult summer.

Watching Ryan Howard and Chase Utley returned to the team to lead a new group of young players to several key victories has been one of the main highlights. Each game throughout August we saw players brought up from the minors for a shot at glory. Some gave their all and then returned for more seasoning. Others proved more valuable and continued in the lineup through  September. Pitcher after pitcher stood on the rubber,  hoping to become part of the legendary crew alongside Hamels,Halladay Lee, Papelbon.  I particularly liked Michael Stutes (injured) and Jake Diekman (great to watch his long legged pitching stance).

Jimmy Rollins and Carlos Ruiz were also standouts this summer for their leadership strength and speed. I saw more stolen bases this year than previous years, which are thrilling for their electric surprise.

And then there are the Nationals, tonight's competitors, the best team in baseball who were not to be outdone. For each Nats player who came to the plate Peter whispered "He's a really good hitter". Harper, Morse, Zimmerman, Desmond, Larouche. I now know these players since I've seen them three times. And yes, they are really good hitters. Harper 19, homerun.Morse 2 homeruns. . And the fielder made some elegant catches that we couldn't help but clap for as well.

Unfortunately for us  the  Final score 7-3. But it puts the Nats one step closer to clinching the division. Funny that the SF Giants have already done that-go brother Eric, and the Orioles are battling it out with the Yankees for their title-go  cousin Zaslows.

I love the Phils, but heck, am this year also loving the hunt.

We Beat the Nats. Again.

I received a gift set of tickets and as a treat I have upgraded to a set of 318 section seats, once again right behind home plate, but a section closer. What a difference one level can make, not just in how much we can see, but in who are our 'neighbors'. To our left are a lovely couple who regularly buy 17 games in that section, and to our right another man who has been coming even longer. Seems that our seats had belonged to season ticket holders who exchanged their tickets for another night. Lucky me.

And the weather is picture perfect ,defying the predictions once again of rain rain rain. So we settle in for a night of marvelous baseball.

I chose this date specifically to see the Nationals play. They are currently the team with the most amount of wins in either league,so I want  to get familiar with them as they march towards the playoff season. I am quite prepared for the Phillies to lose even though last night they won 4-2. You just never know these days with the Phillies.

To our total delight we leap ahead in the first inning, a great start that excites the crowd. The sign flashing on the jumbotron  reads MAKE NOISE,  which tonight the 44,000 of us willingly obey, unlike other games where the crowd could not be roused from dispondancy. There are plenty of hits, nice plays  and the magnificent Halladay has shown up to the mound tonight. He is pitching well, but then lets in two runs.

The astonishing play of the game: Utley gets hit at bat and takes first base. Then he steals second, not so unusual, but still quite startling. THEN he steals third base. Third base!!! Then Mayberry hits a sac fly (oh my, I'm starting to get the lingo) that  Utley needs to run on home. Unbelievable.All from being hit and walking to first. All this after Mayberry's home run, which in the end could have been the winning run.

The players are not the same as when I first started this adventure,. Shane Victorino. Gone. Raul Ibanez. Gone. Hunter Pence. Gone. Carlos Ruiz. Injured. Instead are names like Kratz and Wiggington, Pierre, Krasden, Brown. As they become more known to me, their personalities and strengths will become clearer.

For now,  they have given us plenty of reason to scream,  give high fives and smiles all around, and a chance to cheer the team that beat the best team in baseball 4-2. Again.

And This is Why you Stay for the Whole Game

Just when I thought that baseball was not going to be fun again, just when I thought I had become a cynic, a curmudgeonly fan resigned to a losing team, I am brought to giddy laughter by an inning that brings the crowd to its feet with hope, excitement and love love love.

having a blast on the subway home

There is a group of 15 teens and young adults from a Korean church   who have taken over the row right in front of us. They are the life of the game  because when all is going awry they continue to cheer just as wildly for every strike that Cliff Lee pitches, every ball that is pitched to the Philly batters. I am thrilled by their enthusiasm, passion, and lack of self consciousness. I know that at some point they will get the attention of the cameras to be propelled onto the jumbo screen for their small portion of fame. And indeed that is what happens. A dream come true, cries their leader. What a joy.

The first inning goes well. The Phillies score first, but the Brewers fight back. For inning after inning there is no movement and the score remains 1-1.  We are not prepared for the assault from the Brewers. Cliff Lee pitches strikes that are hit one after another out of the park. Four, count em 4 home runs for a total of 5 runs. The score is 6-1  and despair and resignation set in. The park is deadly quiet. Not even a strike can get anyone clapping.

Then something happens in the 8th inning. Something amazing considering that the night before the Phillies had rallied in the 9th inning from a deficit of 6-3 to win the game 7-6. First the pinch hitter Kratz hits a home run with a man on base.  6-3.There are 2 outs. I start to laugh from the excitement, the tension as batter after batter walks until the bases are loaded. Undaunted, Ruiz hits a double to bring in 3 runs to tie the game
Our section in the sky, the 'penthouse' is on its feet. How can anyone sit when there is a man on base and a chance to...............win? How could this be?

And it was to be. A single by Hunter Pence, Ruiz comes home and to our amazement the Phillies take the lead.

We head into the 9th inning jubilant as Papelbon strides dramatically onto the field head down, cap hiding his face. He is the ultimate closer. This is his time, and he strikes out 3 Brewers.

The final score: Phillies 7  Milwaukee Brewers 6

The ballpark explodes. Rounds of high fives all around for me, Karen, Isaac, and Shai and for all of the 43,000 ecstatic fans around us.

And this is why you stay for the whole game.

Hot Hot Hot...Not Not Not

One of the hottest nights so far of the summer, July 6, I go with a group of students from the English Language Center and 5 of my friends. I like these new set of seats, Section 206 Row 6 which are just left of right field with a nice view of 1st base and the line between the pitcher's mound and home plate. We suffer through the blazing sun until it sneaks behind the jumbo screen, then can settle in for the rest of the game.

Tonight is special. Ryan Howard, who tore his Achilles tendon in the very last out that sent the Cardinals to the World Series in 2011, is going to play tonight.  The cheering begins for this crowd favorite  as  he retakes his place at 1st base, but  the cheering reaches its full pitch when he steps up to the plate for the first time. His signature stance with the bat stretched high in front of him is what we have been waiting for.

It is a miracle....He swings at the very first pitch and it is almost out of the park for a double. Up on the board the batting average says 1.000. What a great start, batting a thousand. He ends the night with a .667, 2 out of 3 hits, but is stranded once on second and once on third.

Throughout the game, Robert explains the rules to our Brazilian students, while the Kuwaiti, Venezuelan, Chinese and Korean students listen in. I'm loving that the Kuwait student has gone directly to the ballpark store to buy everything he needs to be decked out in full Phillies garb, a bright red and white t-shirt and cap on backwards. He fits right in.

English Language Center goes to the ballgame

What they don't understand fully is how bad the 8th inning is for Phillies fans. Kendrick surprisingly pitches a good 7 innings so that the score remains 0-0  keeping us hopeful. Then Bastardo is brought in for no apparent reason, and all is downhill from there. With 3 men on base, he WALKS the next batter. That is bad enough, but to put the nail in the coffin, the  next batter hits a GRAND SLAM.  Our row is in agony, groaning with our head in our hands.

There is no redemption that night, no joy in mudville, I'm afraid. And losses the next 2 nights give the Atlanta Braves a sweep. The Phillies are 11 out of first place and 13 under. 500.


Two bright spots
In the section next to us, we notice a lot of commotion, a camera, a man on his knees. It's a suprise marriage proposal.  She apparently says YES

More important, though. Carlos Ruiz is chosen for the All Star team for the first time (let's hope he doesn't get hurt!)

The Silver Spring Thunderbolts

This is the time for aspiring college players to form summer leagues throughout the country. The local Silver Spring team the Silver Spring Thunderbolts plays blocks from my brother's house at Montgomery Blair High school,  the alma mater of me,my brothers, and my niece. (though my niece is the only one who graduated from this version of the school). So, it is a nice homecoming, and a pleasant way to spend a summer evening.
After a full afternoon watching the Yankees complete a sweep of the Washington Nationals and going through notebooks full of my mother's estate papers for 4 hours, we finished up a delicious meal outside and took the short ride to the ball field.


Marc, Barbara and I arrived rather late, and found out that after the 5th inning there is no charge. There were plenty of seats, real seats not bleachers,with all of them behind home plate, the best way to watch a game. In the 6th inning, the Thunderbolts were losing 5-3, and never recovered from the deficit. One of the players tried to score but got caught in the hopping game of tag with the opposing  catcher who tagged him out.

An unusual  incident occurred when we all thought that the opposing pitcher had 'balked' by raising his leg and then stopping the pitch. It seems that calling a balk is quite a complicated skill. When asked after the game by my brother who caught up to the umpires as they left the ball park, one of the umps told  him that the pitcher had  taken a step BACK off of the rubber first, so it did not count as a balk.  Who knew how complex pitching could be?  Check out this 6 minute video Balk Rules

As with any game, there were fun games and diversions.  An interesting trivia question, a ball toss, and OMG,  the players tossed hot dogs into the stands. Barbara caught one, but the wrapping came apart and the hot dog fell on the ground. We couldn't stop laughing for how silly and unexpected it was.
The final score 6-3

Venus in Transit

It was too cloudy to see Venus sliding her way across the sun,  but I did get to visit the Drexel University observatory for the first time  and in the process found out about their open houses. http://www.physics.drexel.edu/observatory/

The observatory is a small dome that is reached by a wooden bridge on the roof off the main Drexel building (Its called Main building!) The folks running the event were a bit overwhelmed by the number of people who responded to their announcement to watch the transit. I never even made it to the observatory dome itself and  left to find another way to watch. As I was walking down the 4 flights of stairs I heard angelic voices of a chorus singing some haunting chorales on the wide stairways in the Great Court.

Another student and I stopped to linger and listen and I mentioned to him rather pleadingly “Heaven would be listening to this music and watching the transit at the same time”. The student took out his computer and voila, we got to watch on the screen as the hall filled with lovely voices.

Heaven can be found in many places

This is a story...

 Perhaps this is a story about a baseball game: 

 Halladay has let 4 runs go by, some as home runs. We are sad to watch him flounder. "Not the Halladay we know" say my friends. In order to keep up our spirits, we cheer when the opposing team doesn't score in an inning.

Perhaps this is a story about rising stars: 

Freddy Galvis, Jake Deikman, Ty Wiggington, Hector Luna (he of grand slam fame just a few games ago) who help the Phillies get the 2 runs to the Nationals 5.

Perhaps this is a story of families: 

My cousin's son (technically my cousin as well) plays his last collegiate baseball game, then graduates from LaSalle University cum laude. I am one of 30 family members who show up to cheer him on the whole weekend. This is the amazing Zaslow-Flax 3 generation clan that continues to live in the same area, supporting each other in good times and bad.

Perhaps this is a story about a day of endings: 

Only a mere 2 months after the first open house to start the sale, today we turned over the keys of my mother's house to the new owners who love the house as a new home.
We are glad that they are nice people and will cherish the house that was ours for 43 years.
Marc and I arranged to meet with our financial advisor. Eric joins us through Skype. We are very glad to see each other and learn about our good fortune.

Perhaps this is a story of anticipation of good things to come
Meeting with Headlong Dance, Andrew and Amy, telling stories, improvising a bit, an appetizer in preparation for a performance.

A new song written.  

Perhaps this is a story...

Senior Stroll Around the Bases After a Winning Game

My status as a Senior (as in over 55) with all the rights and privileges associated with it has been officially recognized today. For today, you see, was the afternoon Phillies vs. Astros game that ended with the Senior Stroll Around the Bases, a most pleasant event that capped a winning game.

It was almost a washout, and would have been if the weather forecasts had come true. Last night and this morning, the much needed rain soaked the city. Even up until 12:00 today it was wet and soggy, not the best outlook for holding the game.  Checking on the Phillies site, there was a tweet posted at 9:08 a.m that Amaro, the general manager had called the ballpark to have them take up the infield tarp.  Around 12:00 more tweets indicated the game would start as planned.  As I walked to catch the subway, the rain cleared away, and it seemed all was going well for a good afternoon of baseball.

Janet and Tobie on the field

Sure enough, the whole afternoon, though cloudy, was rain free. The Phillies scored two runs in the 2nd inning and continued to hold the lead throughout the first 8 innings. In the top of the 9th Janet and I made our way down to the 1st level to wait  to start the stroll onto the field which we assumed would start soon. The problem was that the game was far from over. Standing in the long line, we couldn't see the field, but knew something bad had happened when we heard groans and boos.  Hunter Pence missed an easy catch, which resulted in an Astro being flagged to home-the tying run. We edged over to watch the game, where an usher let us sit in the100 level section (very nice!). When the Phillies didn't score any runs in the bottom of the ninth, the extra innings battle began.

A pitcher I had not seen, Jake Diekman,  was making his Major League debut as the closer after being called up from the Lehigh minor league team on Friday. The Phillies news page described it this way. "It was a memorable  [debut], to say the least, and occurred in a high-leverage situation. And as a result, he had his first big league victory"   Diekman's long pitching stride has an elegance that caught my attention. Certainly, a pitcher to watch.

The stroll begins

The bottom of the tenth, Hunter Pence at bat. His  long left leg is raised in preparation  for the powerhouse swing that so electrified us when he first arrived in Philadelphia.   He redeemed himself with  the winning home run! High fives all around for a 4-3 victory.

Trying out for  position of second base

We returned to the line for our chance to stroll onto the field singing 'High Hopes, he's got High Hopes....' Smiles all around.

Dozens of Ballpark folks ushered 1000s of fans down the steps and onto the field, helping everyone take pictures along the way.

View of the stands from the field

As promised,  a lovely thrilling stroll from 1st to 2nd to 3rd and  home plate. The gentleman in a wheel chair behind us  had seen games in all three ballparks. Like me, it was his first time on the field.

Whoever thought this up should get a raise!

Another cold night with friends

The night starts off in a strange way.

It is 6:30 and I  am waiting for friends to bring the ticket. It's 6:30, 6:40, 6:50. The game begins at 7:05 but  I don't have my cell phone to find out why they are late. I do go around and borrow some phones and find out they are stuck in traffic. I will definitely miss the beginning.

So, that is how I find myself in conversation between my 'purist' self, the one who has to be there for  the start of the game rituals-"Oh say can you see" " the first pitch will be thrown by..."  and the 'pragmatist' self

Let's have a listen:

 pragmatist: What does it matter if you miss the first pitch?
 purist:         But that is the ritual!  My friends are messing up my ritual!
 pragmatist:   Its just a game and there are 9 innings, so you'll still get to see 2 hours of  baseball.
 purist:          It's the whole package I'm here for. I like to wander around, settle in, take in the ball  park. And you never know, I might miss a home run!
pragmatist:   If you are so into the whole experience, then pay attention to what is happening around you now.
purist:        Like what?
pragmatist: Have an alternative plan for getting in if they don't show up. Borrow a cell phone to leave them a  message.  Notice how many people are streaming in after the game has already started .Listen to the sounds around you. Feel the air.

So, as I bring the conversation to a close, a young man  passes by selling 328 section tickets for 10 bucks. Ah-hah,  my alternative plan is to  buy one just in case. Next, I do stop to observe that the lines at the gate are packed with people way after the game has started. Amazing. Being inside for all of the previous games, I had always  wondered why the stands weren't nearly full at the beginning of the game. Now at 7:20 there are so many people, the dense ribbon of red and white Phillies gear is astonishing. It brings a smile to my face. Then  I take the time to enjoy the music booming out from McFaddens restaurant. The singer sounds buoyant and upbeat.

The sky is beautiful, with no rain in sight . It's cold, but tonight I am prepared with winter wear.

So, not to worry.

 Elyse and Kenny, of course, show up. Without missing a step we don't stop talking until we are ready to part ways at the end of the game. There has been more talking than watching, but  what we saw was good. Really good. Some homers, some spectacular diving catches, good pitching. Another win for team Phillie (3-1) and team Tobie.

How joyous is that.

Spring and our hearts turn to baseball

"Fredd-y, Fredd-y, Fredd-y, Fredd-y

A new chant booms out from the 1st base side fan seats and builds throughout the ballpark to welcome, encourage, cajole one of the newest Phillies players, Freddy Galvis. It works. He hits a two run double in the bottom of the third as the Phils turn a 1-0 game into a showstopper of an inning. Another new Phil, Juan Pierre, steals bases like a gizelle, wowing the crowd. Later he catches two balls in left field giving way to a smile that beams even to the 400 level fans, "This is fun. I am so happy to be playing here". Our old friends, Roy Halladay, Shane Victorino, Placido Polanco, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz , Hunter Pence continue to beguile.

The game is full of  stealing bases, base hits, doubles, nice outfielding-'small ball' as my educated friends beside me call it. Small enough to produce 7 runs total for the game that also includes home runs and close slides into home plate, enthusiastic high fives from the guys in front and  more from the boisterous women behind us (The young man next to me does more texting than watching).

It is one of two days that are going to dip below 60 degrees, so we are all bundled in winter attire of coats, scarves and gloves. Wish I had worn my warm socks and long underwear. But by the 6th inning we have stood enough times to whoop and holler that  I forget about the wind and the chill.

All along we also watch the posted score for the Flyers -Penguins hockey match up. 2-0, 3-1, and finally 3-3 is how we leave it after the baseball game. In the subway someone starts to cheer when word goes out that the Flyers have won the game 4-3 in overtime. And later it is announced that the 76ers won their basketball game.

A good night for Philadelphia sports fans. On to real spring, warmth sun and more of those new Phillies. We look forward to seeing Ryan Howard and Chase Utley as soon as they are healthy.

Winter haitus

A rough winter as ice skating is on hold to recover from a back injury. But the '76ers are doing great this year, and the Drexel basketball team made an historic 17 straight game winning streak, though sadly  did not get invited to the dance.


I think I will be able to make my goal: to be able to walk to and from the subway station and up to the 400 level of the ballpark without (too much) pain. To this end, continued physical therapy and doctoring.

We begin the journey again

My pair of 6 tickets for the 2012 season are neatly tucked in an envelope, and waiting waiting waiting to be slipped into my purse each month from April to September on their way to the ball park.   I remember that giddy evening in the heart of a cold winter in December 2010 when Peter and I hunkered down to negotiate the  selection of our first year's set of seats.  This year winter never came.  But December being months from spring, in the heart of basketball and hockey seasons, Chanukah and winter breaks, we enjoy stretching our minds to imagine  what we might be doing each month of spring and summer and early fall. We count up the days we will miss the pool to go to a game (very few as it turns out), or will be on vacation, or in the middle of another holiday. Only then can we choose dates, teams, seats.
One surprise-tickets available for opening night on April 11.

Whoa, so far the frozen air has not hit us. In March the potential for returning to cold is still with us, but right now, it's70 degree days, flowers  are in bloom,  and we have already switched the clocks to Daylight savings. Time to move my Phillies bookmark back near the top of the list again where I can peek at pre season game scores on the website. Yikes, it sure does feel like

SPRING

My goal after 3 months of back and hip pain-to walk from the subway to the ball park, up and up and up to my favorite places above home plate. We shall see.