Boy Howdy
09-03-2009, 12:26 AM
Today was a special day for me at the ballpark, my second ever game at Wrigley Field.
Great seat, beautiful weather, some fine defense and a crisp 2-0 contest that was perfect for an ex-pitching hopeful like me. Was good to watch a strong start (in vain, unfortunately) for hard-throwing Felipe Paulino, and see old friends like Miguel Tejada and LaTroy Hawkins in action.
The best part came before the game. I was born on September 2, 1970, and two years later Milt Pappas threw a no-hitter on that date. Pappas deserves more credit for being a pretty good Oriole for a number of years, the first post-1954 Baltimore pitcher to earn 100 career wins.
Anyway, Pappas was in the ballpark for the 37th anniversary of his no-no, and I happened to get my picture taken with the man the O's traded for Frank Robinson on my birthday. I'm not the most photogenic fellow, but the photo happened to turn out great.
It reminds me that Pappas' book Out At Home is one of the most candid baseball memoirs I ever read. Worth seeking out, though I've never seen it in a store so you have to write to Pappas to get a copy.
Speaking of Pappas' who write books, I hope ol' Greg will be feeling more like himself sooner than later.
Great seat, beautiful weather, some fine defense and a crisp 2-0 contest that was perfect for an ex-pitching hopeful like me. Was good to watch a strong start (in vain, unfortunately) for hard-throwing Felipe Paulino, and see old friends like Miguel Tejada and LaTroy Hawkins in action.
The best part came before the game. I was born on September 2, 1970, and two years later Milt Pappas threw a no-hitter on that date. Pappas deserves more credit for being a pretty good Oriole for a number of years, the first post-1954 Baltimore pitcher to earn 100 career wins.
Anyway, Pappas was in the ballpark for the 37th anniversary of his no-no, and I happened to get my picture taken with the man the O's traded for Frank Robinson on my birthday. I'm not the most photogenic fellow, but the photo happened to turn out great.
It reminds me that Pappas' book Out At Home is one of the most candid baseball memoirs I ever read. Worth seeking out, though I've never seen it in a store so you have to write to Pappas to get a copy.
Speaking of Pappas' who write books, I hope ol' Greg will be feeling more like himself sooner than later.