Catching a Game at Shea Stadium
Posted by Stuart at 05:17 PM on May 06, 2006There are many things that I enjoyed in my "past life" as an American that I don't necessarily miss, until I experience them again on my trips back to the U.S. Driving on smooth highways with wide shoulders that are free of motorcycles, vendors, and chickens is one of those things. On our way back from Long Island today, I could really appreciate the convenience of the American Interstate system.
Today I realized that baseball is another one of those things. We spent the afternoon at Shea Stadium watching a great game between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. I just love baseball, especially when I am watching it live, on a warm summer day. Unfortunately, though, soulless Shea Stadium leaves a lot to be desired (I've been spoiled by Pac Bell Park in San Francisco).
As I watched the game I thought that perhaps being a Major League baseball player is the best job in the world. And one that I would never be able to do. I had flashbacks now and then of my less-than illustrious Dixie Youth baseball career as a kid. For some reason, I was never any good at baseball. I wasn't too bad at shagging fly balls in the outfield, but my hitting skills were non-existent. I guess part of the reason I love to watch baseball so much is that I have so much respect for the player's ability to actually make contact with a small round object coming towards them at 95 miles an hour.
But not only that, the game was, in my opinion, as perfect as today's weather. The game started out with a bang, with a few runs in the first inning. The middle innings went by quickly. (As much as I love baseball, I admit that the games can get a little long sometimes.) And the end was an exciting one, as the Braves battled back in the ninth inning, only to fall short by one run. Even though I wasn't really cheering for either team, it's always more fun when the hometown team wins.
So, it was another stroll down memory lane for me today, this time it was compliments of Major League Baseball.
"For some reason, I was never any good at baseball."
Stuart, dear, think about it. Speedo vs. pin-stripes.
And now putting my regelia aside, it's great to see you're having such a wonderful time wherever you are in the world. Awesome!