What a great life I have!

Indulging in a bit of revelry

Yes, what a great life I have.

This is the sentiment that wafts through me walking around the  ballpark for perhaps the last time this season. Peter, Isaac, Joe and I attend the last of our 6 ticket series, commenting on the great weather, a combination of a warm almost hot day with no rain in sight. We've arrived early enough to walk right up to the fence to see the whole bullpen doing pitching practice on the field (who knew!).

We settle into our seats to eat our lunches bought at the supermarket on the way to the Fern Rock subway station, talking about our hopes for the game.
We want
 1)  an 8 1/2 inning game so we can go to the pool afterwards
 2) Cole Hamels to win the game
3) Papelbon not to blow any leads

 4) Cody Ashe to show his stuff

 5) a win ( see #1).

And the result: They all come true. Hamels pitches brilliantly, Papelbon doesn't mess it up, Cody Ashe makes some beautiful plays from 3rd and

We win.

Happy New Year!

Peter on the right at a Phillies game

Peter has been my baseball buddy for the past 3 years and a pool buddy for many more than that. He shared this story.......

Peter's Best Rosh Hashanah 

A number of years ago in the early-mid 1990s, I was doing a craft show in Evanston, IL (I am a furniture maker).  It happened that this was the last time the High Holy Days were as early as they are this year.   Erev Rosh Hashanah was prior to Labor Day that year.  In fact, Erev Rosh Hashanah and  the evening service for Rosh Hashanah was the night of the end of the show, Sunday night.   

The friends I was staying with, in Willamette, had obtained a ticket for me to go to services with them.  A few of my friends in the show who were Jewish, and not going home the next morning made me an offer.  It turned out that The Cubs were at home, and playing a day game the next day, and they asked if I wanted to celebrate Rosh Hashanah at Wrigley Field.  My friends said go---how often could I go to a gem at Wrigley? 

Walter, Tobie, and Peter at School Lane House Pool

So, we went.  We got there as early as we could buy tickets, got great seats, second level, right  behind home plate, right below the announcer's booth (During the seventh inning stretch, Harry Carey led the singing of Take me out to the ballgame) and we could hear Harry without his microphone.  They were playing the Pirates, back when they were a good team.*  The wind was blowing out.  There were a bunch of home runs.  The Pirate homers got thrown back onto the field, and the Cubs stole defeat from the jaws of victory.  

Probably my most memorable Rosh Hashanah.

L'shanah Tovah to all. Play Ball! 

* How bout them Pirates in 2013!