Baltimore Orioles ticket "scam" ~ All tickets need to be scanned

I'm going to go ahead and call it the way I see it. There was a scam happening at Saturday's Yankees v Orioles game.

I had an empty seat next to me, and there was a couple sitting next to the empty seat. Some time during the initial innings, two men came over and one of the guys had 4 tickets in his hand.

Ironically, the tickets the men were carrying were for the group of four seats that the three of us were sitting in.

Obviously the man's tickets shouldn't have even "scanned" at the entrance since other tickets with the same barcode were already used by myself and the other couple.

It wasn't a rainy day, like Friday, when one of the ticket takers ripped the tickets (i.e. like at a movie theater) when you entered. I guess his machine was damaged with the rain and no longer worked...

At any rate, the ushers and manager did the right thing by honoring the StubHub sales and assigning the other gentlemen new seats.

If you ask me, something wasn't "right", since the other two men shouldn't have been allowed in, much less benefited with upgraded tickets behind home plate.

Who knows what really happened and if those guys are even the season ticket holders that they claimed to be...

Regardless, I'm just thankful that my situation was handled properly by Baltimore Orioles' personnel!

Incidentally, I called StubHub today to the them know about the irregularity. They're going to investigate.

If anyone has any apprehension conducting transactions with StubHub, they should relax. I've had nothing but positive experiences with the company!

Moral of the story: Always deal with ticket sellers and resellers that you trust.


THE WIRK

Yankees rout the Orioles, 13-3, since there is no MLB mercy rule

The Orioles could've used as much offense as they could get, but Nick Markakis could only sit and watch. He didn't play, since he had been injured after CC Sabathia's pitch the previous day. He sat in the dugout as his team got routed, and I could see that his wrist was wrapped.

I sat 5 rows from the New York Yankees dugout and watched the Yankees take on the Orioles and take the lead in the AL East.  I'm not going to go into the play by play, but let's just say that it always seemed as though the Orioles pitchers were loading the bases and/or the Yankees were scoring. 

The Yankees won the game with a score of 13-3.  Yes, the Yankees scored 13 runs. 

The father-son conversations sums it up nicely.
Son:  Dad, what's the score?
Dad: I think it's 2-0.  Maybe 3-0.
Me: I think it's 4-0.  Wait,  I see it.  It's 5-0.

Yes, it sounded like an auction, and it more or less felt like one. 

The Orioles started to rally in the 4th, but they could never score more than 3 runs.

You want to know who scored?  Everyone scored.  Ok, not everyone scored, but it sure as hell felt as though, every time you looked there was a Yankee crossing home plate.

Another fun moment in the game was when someone started yelling, "overrated" when Derek Jeter was at bat.  Yeah.  If you are an Orioles fan, you should probably tell that guy to be quiet, since Jeter ended up hitting a homerun.

If you're a Yankees fan, today was a BEAUTIFUL day.  If you're an Orioles fan, at least today's game is over and only counts as one loss.

Maybe MLB needs a mercy rule...  I know the Atlanta Braves came back from a 0-9 deficit against the Washington Nationals, but...

After crushing the Orioles today, the Yankees are back on top of the AL East.

THE WIRK

Yankees v Orioles ~ Saturday's bogus double play ends the game

My friend, Teri, is a huge New York Yankees fan, and she'd never been to Oriole Park at Camden Yards (i.e. until this weekend).  With the race to first place in the AL East coming down to the wire, I talked her into going with me to Saturday's Yankees v Orioles game.  She didn't need much convincing, once I planted the idea and before you knew it, we had a couple of tickets to the game!

Saturday night was a great ball game.  Covered from the rain in section 49, we watched the Yankees and the Orioles battle. 

We watched CC Sabathia serve up meatballs and Orioles hit homeruns.  We also saw CC hit Nick Markakis with a pitch.  It's going to be a while before Orioles fans see Markakis at bat.  Reports that I read say that, Markakis is out for six weeks.

It was a great game, but the ending was very unfortunate. 

As the Yankees were rallying from a 3-5 deficit in the 9th inning, I saw the supposed "double play" that ended the inning and the game.  It didn't take a genius to see that Mark Teixeira was safe.  Umpire Jerry Meals made a bad call, and I agree with Teixeira.  My guess is that Meals either wanted to go home or just got ahead of himself.  Either way, it was what it was, and the game was over. 

If I was Teixeira, you wouldn't have been able to pull me off the base.  How frustrating...  That's baseball, and that's life. 

The Baltimore Orioles won the game 5-4, and as a result both teams are tied for the lead in the AL East.

THE WIRK

Yankees defeat the Nats 5-3 after 14 innings

Saturday afternoon I was sitting pretty (i.e. eating and drinking) on my perch at the PNC Diamond Club at Washington Nationals Park for the 2nd game of the 3-game series between the New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals.

 

Unfortunately I forgot my camera when I went to the game so all the pictures I have a from my iPhone.  Once again, I went into the game expecting to see Bryce Harper do something special.  After 14 innings, I left feeling a little frustrated that I hadn't seen the special player that everyone raves about.

One special thing that happened at the game was when Eric Chavez hit a foul ball that went into my section.  The older men sitting at the table behind me couldn't catch the ball, so it fell right behind me.  I had to lunge, but I was able to get the ball!  Now both of the baseballs I have are from Yankees!  The first was from Alex Rodriguez, when he tossed me one in Minnesota (i.e. at a Twins game) and now this one from Saturday, 

Yankees won on Saturday with a score of 5-3.  It was a marathon, but a great day for baseball!

I ran into Teddy on the way out and although he never wins the Presidents' Race, he's a winner when he's with ME.

THE WIRK

Yankees defeat the Nats in the 1st game of a 3 game series

I know this blog has been quiet lately, because I've been in and out of the country.  Now that I'm "back", lately I've been focusing more on baseball than basketball since I can't stand the thought of the LeBron James and the Miami Heat winning the 2012 NBA Championship...  Come on Oklahoma City Thunder!!!

OK, enough of that.  Back to the point of this post.

Did you know that the New York Yankees hadn't played the Washington Nationals in DC since June 2006?!?!  Those games were played at RFK Stadium.  No wonder people were buzzing...

I have a lot of friends in the DC area who are Yankees' fans and this series was all they could talk about.  When I was playing on the Nationals' ticketing website, I spotted a pair of good seats behind home plate slightly towards the 3rd base line...  Who doesn't want to be closer to A-Rod?!!?  Let's be real.  Alex Rodriguez is much better looking than Derek Jeter.  Needless to say, I grabbed the seats as fast as I could and called my Jetah-loving friend, Teri, to let her know we were golden!

I went to the game, thinking that the Nats would play better than they did.  I was also excited to finally see Bryce Harper play.  Unfortunately, I can't remember him doing anything memorable at the game...

The AL East leading New York Yankees came to DC and beat the NL East Washington Nationals by a score of 7-2 on Friday night, and I was hooked.  After the game I went straight to the ticket window and picked up a ticket in the PNC Diamond Club for Saturday's afternoon game.  ****  If you haven't been to the Diamond Club yet, I think you should go.  It's a great place to watch a game and reasonably priced if you go there hungry and thirsty! 

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Yankees rally in the 8th to defeat the Rangers ~ ALCS, Game 1

I'd never been to Rangers Ballpark so I decided that there was no better time to go then last night to watch game 1 of the ALCS.  I flew to Dallas and immediately went to see my family.  After catching up with Ashley, the kiddos, the new kitty, and meeting her neighbor Dave ~ they whisked me away to the game.  I got there early so that traffic wouldn't be an issue and it worked out well so I could eat and not worry about picking up my ticket at will call. 

For under $20, I had a hotdog, a large drink, and a funnel cake.  ****  Funnel cake is one of my guilty pleasures!  After satisfying my inner fat kid, I walked the concourse to see what the park had to offer.   I found a large gift shop (i.e. the Majestic) and a huge Nolan Ryan statue.  After taking the obligatory photo it was time for me to get ready to watch the action. 

Nolan Ryan threw out the ceremonial first pitch.  Here's the video I shot:

It was a comfortable 80-degrees, and I settled in my seat.  Before you knew it, the Texas Rangers were up 3-0.  I'd never heard the name Michael Young until yesterday, but after last night I won't forget it.  Evidently he lives down the street from my cousin.  At his first at bat, he singled and then next thing you knew Josh Hamilton drove him and Elvis Andrus home with a home run!

I watched game 1 of the ALDS and CC Sabathia got off to a slow start at Target Field (i.e. against the Minnesota Twins) so it felt like de ja vu...  CC managed to get himself out of some other jams, and before you knew it Joba Chamberlain was in the game, pitching in the bottom of the 5th.

Anyone else remember Joba Chamberlain on the mound in Cleveland when those flies came out?!?!  That's an image I can't forget!  So gross... 

Around the time of the 7th inning stretch, I noticed George W. Bush in the crowd.  Here's a picture.  He's in the blue shirt, front row, to the left of the sign.

Anyway, some time around the 8th inning I noticed the guy to my right.  He was a cross between Rick Fox and another guy I grew up with (i.e. that I had a crush on).  Needless to say he was attractive and shooting pictures with a serious camera.  I found it all very interesting.  After some small talk, we both noticed the Yankees had scored!  Wouldn't you know it?  The Yankees were beginning to rally!  It was so quiet in the ballpark that it was as if the Rangers balloon had completely deflated, but thanks to some good conversation and Yankees offense ~ I was still smiling!

If you want the box score or a play-by-play check ESPN.com.  Great game and definitely a good time!  Rangers lose at home.  Final score Yankees: 6, Rangers: 5.

"The stars at night, shine big and bright ~ deep in the heart of Texas".

Game 2 is today (i.e. Saturday) at 4PM ET.

THE WIRK

Yankees v Rangers, ALCS Game 1 ~ I'll be there!

Cliff Lee pitched a complete game, and the ALCS match-up is set.  Further, I just scored my ticket to Game 1 in Dallas!  I had to rearrange my schedule, but I'm more than excited to see the New York Yankees take on the Texas Rangers and check off another stadium (i.e. Rangers Ballpark) on my tour. 

The Texas Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays earlier tonight, and the minute the Rangers advanced, I was on the phone with US Air changing my existing weekend flights.  Thank goodness I have plenty of dividend miles coming out of my ears and a very flexible schedule, otherwise it'd be basically impossible to continue living the dream!  ****  Direct flights to DFW cost almost $1,500.00 right now and with a connection you'd still pay more than $500.00. 

Friends and family, hopefully I can see you before or after the game this Friday.  Fellow baseball fans, I'll see you at Rangers Ballpark!  Game time is set at 8PM (ET).

****  Still on the hunt for a ticket for the NLCS, Game 1.  I really want to see Lincecum v Halladay.  If you can help me out, contact me: thewirk@gmail.com.


THE WIRK

Teixeira hits a homerun and Yankees defeat the Twins - ALDS, Game 1

Last night was the first night of the MLB postseason.  I was able to attend Game 1 of the ALDS between the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins.  Earlier in the evening, baseball fans were treated to something special when Philadelphia Phillies' pitcher, Roy Halladay, pitched a no-hitter!



Wow.  Coming off watching the celebration in Philly, I was expecting big things at Target Field.  I didn't witness a no-hitter, but I did see a great game.

CC Sabathia and Francisco Liriano went pitch to pitch, but the bats were hot also.  10 runs were scored, but the Yankees ended up winning 6-4.

CC Sabathia on the mound

My 3rd base favorites, Alex Rodriguez and Scott Ullger

Twins congratulating Cuddyer after his home run

There was not a no-hitter to witness at Target Field.  In fact, the crowd seemed to "boo" a bit when Sabathia hit Thome in the arm with a pitch.  Come on, people!  That's no big deal.  Don't you know that that's how former Tribe players greet each other?!?! 

The Yankees were down 0-3 for a few innings, but then the Yankees found their offense.  I was sitting next to Kunal, a Yankees fan, and he was stressed for most of the game.  I think he finally relaxed in the 8th or 9th inning.  What most people thought was a "gimme" game for the Yankees turned into a bit of a nail biter, even though the Yankees were up 4-3 heading into the bottom of the 6th.

In the bottom of the 6th with Sabathia loading the bases, I started to panic.  However, he was able to work himself out of the jam after only walking in one run.  Great. Game was tied at 4.

In the 7th, with Nick Swisher on base, Mark Teixeira hit a home run to put the Yankees up 6-4.  That would be the final score of the game! 

Mariano Rivera handled the rest.

In today's game that starts at 6:37PM ET, Andy Pettitte takes on Carl Pavano. 

Should I stay or should I go now?!?!

Oh and  I have to mention that since Randy Moss returned to the Minnesota Vikings yesterday, it seems like the people in Minneapolis dusted off their Moss jerseys and decided to wear them to the game.  Welcome back, Randy.  Seems like Vikings fans can't wait to see you.

Lastly, guess what?!!?  I found $20 on the ground on the concourse.  Woohoo! Winner!!!  :-P

Fan of Teixeira?  Pick up a shirt.  Man his name is hard to spell...  "I before E, except when sounded like Teixeira"...


THE WIRK

Yankees v Twins, ALDS Game 1 ~ I'll be there!

After looking at Stubhub.com, Craigs list, and eBay, I decided to say, "to hell with it all" and hit the streets.  When did the going price for a good ticket hit $300?  Actually from experiences haggling with scalpers and researching websites for YEARS, the answer to that question is maybe 5 years ago... 

At lunch today, I decided to go out and look for scalper.  I was curious if I'd run into any Yankees or Twins grabbing food.  It's not a secret boys and girls...  Those men need to eat lunch, too...  Well on my path towards Target Field, I decided to go right to the ballpark to check out the scene.  As usual, I was at the right place at the right time!

Guess who just scored her ticket to the Yankees v Twins, American League Division Series (ALDS), Game 1!?!?!! Yep, this girl!  I cannot wait for the game to start...  Looking forward to watching CC Sabathia take on Francisco Liriano.  Great.  Now I have that little girl song in my head...

"CC, my playmate, come out and play with me."

Actually, when ever I think of Sabathia I always remember his days with the Cleveland Indians.  In 2002, when he was robbed at gunpoint, while trying to leave the Marriott Key Center.  Here's an article that provides more details for those of you that never knew.  For those of you that would rather copy and paste the URL into a new window, here you go: http://www.woio.com/Global/story.asp?S=793891.  It's scary stuff!  According to the article, "Sabathia was robbed of $44,102 in cash and jewelry, including a necklace and earrings."  I'm sure his fans are happy that no one got hurt.  It's great to see CC successful.  By the way, did you know that 52 is one of my lucky numbers?

As for me tonight, my only "concern" is what I'm going to eat on the Target Field concourse...  Do I stick with Murray's steak sandwich or try something else? :-P


THE WIRK

Checking in ~ Steinbrenner dies, NL wins, and Summer League

Yes, I am alive.  It's just been a slow news week.  George Steinbrenner died.  As an Ohioan, I claim him because he's from Rocky River...

Other than that the National League finally beat the America League in the 2010 MLB All-Star Game.  I'm pulling for the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves...

I'm off to Las Vegas for Summer League tomorrow...  I don't normally like to telegraph my passes ~ but it's been almost a week since I've posted sooooooo there...  I threw you a bone :-P


THE WIRK

Am I the only one annoyed with Chris Bosh and NBA free agent talk?

In the free agency NBA "shuffle" am I the only one who has or is developing feelings about Chris Bosh?  I can't be.  Can I?  The latest, I've seen is that Bosh can come to Cleveland but he doesn't want to.  Exact reasons haven't been given, but I've heard it has to do with the fact that he thinks the market isn't big enough for his brand.  I was listening to Chris Broussard earlier on ESPN and he mentioned that Bosh, would be interested in Houston because of the China factor.  Hellooooooooooooo.  Am I the only one that knows that Chinese investors have a stake on the Cleveland Cavaliers?  I can't be.  Can I?

I saw a funny tweet earlier today.  It was from sportspickle.  Sportspickle tweeted the following: 

"Hey @KingJames, I suggest you follow @chrisbosh. It may change your mind about playing with him."

Evidently, sportspickle is beginning to feel like me.  I don't know Chris Bosh.  I don't know what's going through his head, but if the Toronto Raptors said they'd do a sign and trade deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and that ultimately means he can play with LeBron James ~ then I truly think he is foolish for not doing so.  That's my 5 cents.

Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire, NBA All-Star 2010

Great Amare Stoudemire is going to sign in with the New York Knicks, and says he's going to try to recruit LeBron.  Amare, I'll lend him you my phone if you need one.  I welcome the recruitment calls from the Knicks.  In my gut, I don't think LeBron will go to New York ~ unless he's going to see the New York Yankees, etc.

I think at this point, Bosh is doing himself the greatest disservice.  He needs to take a serious look at himself in the mirror.  I'm beginning to think that maybe he's a bit out of touch with reality.  His choice of cities is more like a vacation destination list.  That's fine.  I'm not against great weather, but come on.  I'm not going to run the numbers, and I completely admit that I'm biased ~ but seriously?!?!

Come on.  Is there ANYONE sitting and waiting for Chris Bosh to get off the fence and to decide?  If you are, then that's fine ~ but seriously, please tell me why.  I sincerely want to know.  I enjoyed watching Chris Bosh as a Toronto Raptor, but I can't be the only one getting annoyed.  Seriously...  I can't be.   Can I?

THE WIRK

Jay-Z and Eminem ~ 2nd date added in New York, 9/13 and 9/14

Today it was announced that there will be an additional date added for the JAY-Z and EMINEM Unite concert(s) in New York at the new Yankees Stadium.

The dates for the show in New York are:

Monday, September 13
Tuesday, September 14

There was a presale for the Monday show earlier today, but both shows goes on sale tomorrow at 10AM.  However, for the Tuesday show, New York Yankees season ticket holders get a 2 hour advance jump on buying up tickets. 

If you haven't seen Jay-Z or Eminem, you need to get yourself to the show.  You will NOT be disappointed!  Jay-Z is amazing in concert and Eminem has left me speechless (i.e. in a good way). 

My favorite Eminem performance was during the Anger Management Tour years ago.  His performance of Evil Deeds left me with chills.  Here's the best I could find of him performing the number live in NY.  Enjoy, but if your ears are sensitive to language (i.e. mom, this means you), don't click the video.




THE WIRK

A-Rod threw me a ball! Yankees v Twins ~ May 25, 2010

The game was suspended  (i.e. both teams were scoreless after the top of the 5th) because of rain but who cares?!?!?  I was sitting in the first row by 3rd base, and Minnesota Twins 3rd base coach, Scott Ullger threw a ball to me.  The lady to my right, more or less took it out of my hand.  To be honest, I couldn't believe he threw it to me.  Turns out that the guy to my left told me that he was motioning for Ullger to toss it to me.  Anyway, score one for the lady to my right.  BUT, wouldn't you know that I'd end up with a better game ball?!?!  That's right.  I was sitting in the first row by 3rd base and A-Rod was heading into the dugout...  Sure enough, I stood up and he threw me a ball!!!!  How awesome is that?!?!

By the way, I think Derek Jeter's dad was sitting in the row behind me.

Here are some pics from the game.  What a great night!

Derek Jeter at bat

Brett Gardner at bat

Brett is a cutie

Derek Jeter

Alex Rodriguez

A-Rod and Scotty Ullger

A-Rod and Scotty Ullger

A-Rod

Right by the NY Yankees dugout

A-Rod threw me a ball!!!

Great seats = great pictures

It's raining, but I should've worn make-up for this picture!  Ugh.

My centerfield crush

Ok, I've also decided that A-Rod is hot

Who cares?!?!  I have my first game baseball from A-Rod!

Like I said, what a great night.  Fortunately I was sitting next to a group of really great guys (i.e. brothers and their dad and uncle), who let me wait out the rain delay with them in the 3rd Base Club.  Lucky, lucky ME!!!

****  While in the 3rd Base Club an older gentleman who is a Yankees fan wanted to see my baseball.  When he went to touch the ball, I instinctively moved the ball away from his hand.  I wasn't going to let another ball get away!  He offered me $200 for the ball, and I turned him down.  He went to $300 and was denied again.  One of the guys I was hanging out with, said I'd sell it for $700.  I shot that offer down also.  Memories like the one I had are PRICELESS!

Last night's game is being finished today at 4PM (CST) at Target Field.  I already have Marcus, the scalper, working on a ticket since the people who have tickets to tonight's game have access to both games today.  If he can't pull it off, I have Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals as my fallback option.  Either way, I can't lose!

THE WIRK