Pete Rose and reality TV is a bad bet

So, Pete Rose wants to join the world of reality TV.  I don't know about you, but I think this is another "bad bet".  Yes, the pun is intended.  I met the "should be" Hall of Famer briefly many years ago in Las Vegas.  He was signing autographs and taking pictures at Field of Dreams.  Being an Ohio girl, I waited my turn and went through the motions.  I had to.  I'm an Ohio girl, who grew up going to Cincinnati Reds games.  I want to remember Pete Rose on the baseball field or as a manager.  I don't want to have to resist the urge to tweet about his life on a reality TV show...


THE WIRK

10 more MLB stadiums left to see and then my baseball tour is over

Last night I went to my first baseball game of the season.  It was an A's game and my first time at the venue.  With a new season upon us and now that the worst is over, I did a quick look and these are the stadiums I have left to check off.

MLB teams I need to see play at home:

1. Tampa Bay Rays - Wish they'd get a new venue
2. Chicago White Sox - Need to find a cheap flight and go 
3. Kansas City Royals - Plan to hit this one once my friend, Becky, move there
4. Seattle Mariners - Plan to hit this park in August
5. Florida Marlins - Might wait until they get a new ballpark
6. Cincinnati Reds - Haven't seen the Reds play at home, since they played at Riverfront Coliseum
7. Houston Astros - Plan to hit this one once my friend, Kanak, moves there
8. Milwaukee Brewers - Might have to make this a combo trip with a weekend in Chicago
9. Pittsburgh Pirates - Possible road trip
10. Colorado Rockies - Headed to Denver, but wouldn't you know the team is out of town

With a little planning and some luck scheduling, I'll probably manage five or 6 parks this season.

****  By the way, baseball stadium tours don't count.  I've had this argument with a number of people, and firmly believe, that you have to watch a game at the venue in order for it to "count".


THE WIRK

Beat the Streak 2011 MLB Contest ~ Don't pick Manny Ramirez

I'm not one to play fantasy sports, but I came across this "Beat the Streak" contest for the 2011 MLB season.  The object of the contest is simple.  For each "game day" pick a player who you think will get a hit.  Be the FIRST to beat the streak of 56 games with a correct pick, and you win $5,600,000.00  Yes, that number is typed correctly.  I double-checked it.  I don't know about you, but I could use $5.6 million.

Jason Heyward at bat v the Cubs
on April 8, 2010.  He went 0-4.

So far the longest streak is 8 games.  Atlanta Braves' Jason Heyward was hitless last night against the Milwaukee Brewers and killed my streak of 4 games...  Ugh.  ****  Actualy, I just took a look at my photo files, and just last year I saw him against go hitless against the Chicago Cubs...  Great.

Good thing, I checked my upcoming picks today because I had selected Manny Ramirez for an upcoming game. With Manny's retirement announcement today, I doubt he'll be hitting again ~ period.  Don't get me wrong, I liked Manny. 

Manny Ramirez debuted with the Cleveland Indians in 1993.  1993 was also my freshman year of college, in Northeast Ohio, so I spent many a night at Jacobs Field (i.e. now named Progressive Field).  Manny was loved in Cleveland.  1993-2002 were some great days for the Cleveland Indians.  Those were the days of David Justice, Kenny Lofton, Omar Vizquel, Sandy Alomar, Roberto Alomar, Jim Thome, and Manny Ramirez...  I'm sure I'm forgetting some folks, but you know what I'm talking about.

Come to think of it, my best friend (i.e. Chubs) had a picture of Manny Ramirez in his spare bedroom.  He loved that picture.  It may have even been autographed.  Oh well. 

Manny Ramirez at bat v Pirates, April 30, 2010

The last time I saw Manny Ramirez play was less than a year ago against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  In addition to it being my first time at Dodgers Stadium, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar threw out the ceremonial first pitch.  ****  Kareem's presence made the game extra special for me since I'm an "old school" Laker fan.

But I digress...  So, let's get back to this blog post's topic.

Play the Beat the Streak contest and test your luck.  Further, with ANOTHER announcement of an issue relating to baseball's drug policy, it's hard to love a cheater ~ especially a cheater who's calling it quits.  Therefore, if you have Manny in any of your fantasy baseball contests, replace him now.


THE WIRK

It's opening day!!!! Peanut Butter Jelly with a Baseball Bat...

With Lou Seal, last season, AT&T Ballpark

For those of you that don't follow baseball, it's OPENING DAY!!!  ****  I have ESPN on in the background for some noise.  It looks pretty cold out there at Yankee Stadium, so I'm happy to watch/listen to the play-calling on TV. 

Last season, I went to the Chicago Cubs home opener.  ****  That was my first trip to Wrigley Field. 

I know my friend, Mr. Wright, is thrilled to have baseball back, since he loves the sport and despises basketball.

Further, I knew my friend, The Rick, wasn't even working today.  I spoke to him earlier, and he said, "I don't work on opening day."  ****  He's in Arlington, TX for the Boston Red Sox v Texas Rangers series, which starts tomorrow.

For the die-hard fans, with tickets to a game, enjoy the day.  For those of you that are slightly more lazy, enjoy one of my favorite videos/songs on youtube from youtube user: mycreed.



Do you think the San Francisco Giants will repeat and win the World Series again?  Time will tell... 

THE WIRK

Baseball teams left to see at home (and friends in those cities)

I had some time and made a list of baseball teams, that I still need to see play at home.  I also added the names of people who live in (i.e or are from) the same cities, because it's only fair that I give my friends a head's up that I'm coming out there (i.e. ONE of these days)... 

Yes, I've seen the Reds play at home ~ but they have a new stadium now, so Riverfront really doesn't count anymore.

See you all eventually!

1. Astros = Tyler, Chubs, Jennifer, and Jeff
2. Athletics = Scott, Marc
3. Brewers
4. Cardinals = Traci
5. Mariners = Scott
6. Marlins = my brother
7. Pirates = Cathy
8. Rangers = Chubs, Chris, Ashley
9. Rays = Trey
10. Reds = way too many people
11. Rockies
12. Royals = Becky, Heather
13. White Sox = Pork

This list looks very doable.  Who wants to go to a baseball game?!?! 


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