high & inside

Tag: buffalo bisons

  • Heat wave

    The wife joined me today. Her first game of the year. Although the Wings lost (my record is now 2-5), it was a mostly pleasant day at the ballpark.

    We got to hang out with Julian (a now not stranger from Reddit) for a couple innings. “Yo Yo” Morales was consistent at the plate. He’s been hitting well every game I have seen. I can see him being in the majors before the All Star break.

    At some point, I and the row of younger fans behind me decided to purchase a beer and snacks from Conehead. I’m already not a big fan of the guy, having been on the wrong end of small political rants by him last year while trying to enjoy a game.

    Yea, he works hard, has a conehead prop and a cute cold beer slogan but all we wanted was a beer. When we asked about tipping in cash, we got rants about how horrible Kathy Hochul is and how great Trump is. After the Trump comment, one of the younger fans very respectfully said “Yes, but he’s deporting my family and friends, my people.” Conehead’s reply? “Well they must be illegals.” The problem is that Conehead is wrong. So very wrong.

    But what are facts to a guy who blatantly picked chose to try to talk/bait Trump to young Hispanic fans? And if they or I said something back at him, and words were exchanged, who is going to believe the fans over Conehead?

    To their credit, the fans he directed the comments at were very respectful and were just happy when Conehead left. My wife squeezed my leg to remind me to shut my mouth.

    The beauty of baseball, for me, is the cross section of players and fans. A good part of my project certainly deals with race, heritage, families, etc. It’s all ingrained in the fabric of baseball and one of the reasons why I love the game.

    I do get it, though. Baseball is political. All sports are. We weren’t a political rally though. We all paid tickets to watch baseball and commune with each other.

    Despite Conehead ruining the good vibes at the game, we could actually feel warmth today (it hit 80!) and it didn’t rain. Not bad for April 18th.

  • Friday Double Header

    When I clocked out of work at 5pm, I made a beeline to the ballpark. Luckily, it’s a 10 minute walk from my apartment. There was a double header today. I was able to watch the second half of the first game that the Red Wings lost. The second game, thankfully, was a win.

    Some thoughts from today’s game:

    People still name their kids “Easton” after the bat? They are always after a bat but never a glove. When I hear a kid named Rawling, Mizuno or Wilson, I’m getting that kid and their dad some Red Wings merch.

    Charles McAdoo not only has a sweet baseball name but he hit two three run homers. One in each game. I hate to admit this but I like to find a future Dodger in each team. McAdoo would be Buffalo’s pick for me. Right now, for the Red Wings, I like Andres Chaparro and Trey Lipscomb. Would have I picked Alex Call back in the day? Probably not.

    Barb was on her TACO game tonight. She even has a kid joining her ranks.

    I dressed poorly tonight so I had an impulse purchase of a red Red Wings hoodie. A Rohrbach Cosmic Krush Hazy IPA and a popcorn kept me warm too. The Wings held on to a first inning lead to make my record 2-4 at games.

    I have 781 of 3500 points to throw out the first pitch at game. Or maybe I could get Barb to do it instead. Donating my first pitch is what I want to do going forward.

    Watching the Dodgers play the Rockies as I type this. Denver had two inches of snow fall earlier today and the field looks like it never happened, Props to that field crew. Denver is a stadium I always wanted to visit. Also I like their City Connect jerseys.

    Finally, Grant Anderson kind of reminds me of a mix between Larry David and Norm Macdonald. I have a fan fiction theory that Grant Anderson’s kids are the dude in the Spikes and the gal in Mitsy costumes.

  • Tuesday vs Baby Jays

    Tuesday was a beautiful night.  Didn’t need my coat until the last inning.  Red Wings outhit the baby jays but still lost.  Starting pitcher Andrew Alvarez had nine k’s. He looked like he had good stuff but the wind was blowing out, aiding in couple home runs that ruined an otherwise good outing. The crowd was paying attention and Alvarez got a standing O while coming out of the game with one out in the fifth.

    I kept score, which was relaxing after a stressful day of work, while sipping a refill and snacking on a bag of peanuts.  That’s all I did. I brought my camera but really just wanted to relax.

    Enjoyed the anthem too. 

    As the game went on the boys who drank two lite beers were feeling saucy. They taunted RJ Schreck who then went on to hit a homer that made the difference in the game. My record at the game is now 1-4.

    Later I fell asleep listening to the Dodgers beating the Mets. Sadly, I live in a blackout zone so I couldn’t watch the game. Dodgers announcer Stephen Nelson is a great voice and personality for Dodger baseball.  I do also find Rick Monday’s gristly voice nostalgic. Dodgers went on to sweep the Mets.

    Wednesday was a day game so I couldn’t go.  If I had taken it off, the weather would have been bad.  You’re welcome.

    Forecast has a 70% chance thunderstorms for the game today. Anything over 50% means we have a 100% chance of getting rained on or the game being postponed.