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

The ALDS and NLDS begin next week ~ Take me out to the ball game!

Seeing as though I spend a lot of time traveling, I'm excited about the MLB post-season.  Specifically, I'm anxiously awaiting to "final" ALDS and NLDS match-ups so I can determine where I want to go and how much time (i.e. if any) I want to take off of work.  It's been a long time since I've been in a city where there's post-season baseball.  Lately, I've been spending a lot of time in Minneapolis, and I'm excited to head to Target Field for game 1 of the Minneapolis Twins series.  From what I can see, Game 1 of the ALDS is Wednesday, October 6.  I cannot wait.

Moreover, as an Ohio girl, I'm thrilled to see the Cincinnati Reds are in the NLDS hunt. I haven't been to the new ballpark in Cincinnati yet, but I have fond memories of going to the old Riverfront Coliseum as a kid and listening to "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang while fireworks peppered the sky (i.e. if the Reds won).  When I was younger, my mom was strict.  Now I'm older, but let's face it ~ she's still strict.  She's so strict that she wouldn't let me watch the Cincinnati Reds when they were playing the Oakland A's in the 1990 World Series.  I was forced to listen to the games on the radio!  On the radio!  Yes, RADIO!!!  I couldn't believe it...  LOL.

Regardless, I bet a classmate of mine (i.e. Aaron Howard) that Oakland would win.  I couldn't believe he'd picked Cincinnati to win it all, considering the Reds were the underdogs.  Needless to say, I lost my bet.

Years ago, I ran into Pete Rose in Las Vegas.  He was more than gracious and knew exactly what I was talking about when I told him where I was from.  Scandal aside, I found him to be a reasonable guy to chat with as he autographed a photo for me and posed for pictures.  I know he's in Las Vegas often.  Yeah, yeah, yeah.  Keep the jokes to yourself.  I'm from Ohio.  Pete Rose will always be special to me, and if I had a vote, I'd use it to vote him into the Hall of Fame.  If you ask me, he belongs in Cooperstown.  He's the "Hit King".

Well, mom.  I'm a BIG kid now, and you better believe that schedule permitting I'm going to be at a game or games this MLB post-season...  But I must admit, there's nothing like listening to the games on the radio... 

If you're curious and want to see the current MLB post-season schedule, here's a link: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/ps.jsp?y=10

For those of you Reds fans that want to re-live the good old days.  Here you go.

THE WIRK

Manny Ramirez to help Chicago White Sox postseason push

As someone who watched Manny Ramirez when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers once and numerous times while he was with the Cleveland Indians, I look forward to him joining former Tribe teammate, Omar Vizquel, on the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.  ****  If only Manny could've picked up a couple of weeks ago, when the White Sox were "in town" so I could've seen more of a Tribe reunion (i.e. with Jim Thome on the field for the Minnesota Twins).

As someone who has "adopted" the Minnesota Twins, I'm also curious to see how the addition of Manny affects the White Sox and Twin's race to the finish (i.e. the post season) since the White Sox are currently only 4 games back...

I remember Manny's glory days in Cleveland.  The city loved the Tribe and it wasn't easy getting a ticket to the game since the team was so talented (i.e. Sandy Alomar, Roberto Alomar, David Justice, Jim Thome, Kenny Lofton, Manny Ramirez, Jose Mesa, and Omar Vizquel etc.).  It wasn't uncommon for me to see them running around town, at the movies on a Sunday, or just miss them as my car was going in for inspection.  ****  Ugh.  Now I'm reminiscing about the good old days at Jacobs Field in Cleveland and watching post-season games at Nautica...  Those were great times with friends.  Too bad the Atlanta Braves had the Tribe's number those years...

Question:  Why does Cleveland appear to be the farm team for every major sport?

Regardless, here's my prediction:  The Minnesota Twins maintain their spot on top of the AL Central.


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

Twins defeat the Tigers at Target Field, the Ernie Harwell Rainbow, and my 66th venue

Twins defeat the Tigers at Target Field, the Ernie Harwell Rainbow, and my 66th venue

Tonight I made it out to Target Field, my 66th venue.  Target Field is the new ballpark for the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers were tonight's visiting opponents.

I'd been to Target Field a week or so ago, but there wasn't a game.  I'd walked over one afternoon when I was in Minneapolis and took some pics of the statues around the park, but it's just not the same as catching a game.  Earlier today, I checked the weather report and although it called for rain, I gambled and headed towards the ballpark. 

I took the skywalks most of the way to the ballpark and scalped a ticket on the way.  Scalping is legal in Minneapolis.  I scored a $57 ticket for $50.  I didn't feel like negotiating, I just wanted inside the ballpark. 

I like new stadiums.  I realize there's a certain degree of sterility with a new stadium, and that some people prefer the charm of older parks (i.e. Fenway, Wrigley, etc.).  I appreciate both types of stadiums, but I do like "new".

Below are some views of the stadium from my seat.

Did you know that Johnny Damon was with the Detroit Tigers now? I didn't.  I also didn't realize that Jim Thome played for the Minnesota Twins.  I remember Jim Thome from his days in Cleveland with the Indians.  He was a great player for the Tribe and a class act.  I even have an invitation to his surprise birthday party somewhere with all my "memories" from my days in Cleveland.  ****  When I was a Cleveland WAG (i.e. Wife and/or Girlfriend) I'd met his wife Andrea at a graduation party for the former Indians' trainer's son, and we had hit it off.  I never did make it to that party, but I digress..  Regardless, it's great to see him still playing well.

Johnny Damon plays for the Detroit Tigers... 

Jim Thome still playing well

Sure enough it started raining during the game.  Like the commercial says, "No rain, no rainbows" right?  Ernie Harwell passed away right before the game.  For those of you that don't know, he was a Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers and had battled cancer.  He died yesterday at the age of 92.

Ernie Harwell rainbow in the distance

Anyway after about 2 innings with the Twins leading 2-0, I went to the concourse to see what Target Field had to offer.  Below is a picture of the menu board for Mill City Grill.  I was curious to know how the walleye fingers were, but I chose to try Murray's Steak Sandwich.  The steak sandwich was good, but I don't really like it when there's more bread than meat.  As for the sandwich, there are 2 pieces of steak and it was cooked well.  If only I could've put my $10.50 sandwich on the Underhill's tab.  ****  Did I tell you that Fletch is one of my favorite movies?

Murray's Steak Sandwich

The concession stand was doing a lot of business (i.e. possibly because of the rain) and people had to wait about 10 minutes for their order to be ready. The people working the stand would take the name of the person placing the order and then call it, when that person's order was ready. I was amazed at how well the "honor system" worked!

Oh yeah, I should mention that Target Field now sells Killebrew Root Beer.  I don't like root beer, but for those of you that do, check it out!

When I returned to my seat the Tigers had tied the game at 2.  The Twins took a 3-2 lead in the 6th inning, but the Tigers would end up tying up the game in the 9th.  It all came down to the bottom of the 9th inning.  With J.J. Hardy on 3rd and Wilson Ramos at bat, the Tigers' pitcher threw a crazy pitch and Hardy was able to score.  Andddddddddddd, guess who happened to be shooting vidoe at that very moment.  Yep...  It's ME!  Enjoy the clip.

Twins Win!

****  I saw these stations for people to charge their mobile phones.  I told you I liked new venues.  This is a great idea since power users and travelers like myself, rely on having enough juice to function.  Thank you, Best Buy and Minnesota Twins for providing this amenity to Twins fans!

THE WIRK