What is the most memorable baseball game you have been to? With a story too...
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It wasn’t a game but a series. Brooks Robinson for the Oriole against the Reds I think. He was amazing. Great hits but his true magic was at 3rd – absolutely unreal. Pretty sure he got MVP. I have rarely seen one man dominate a series but Robinson did.
For you younger guys – if ESPN ever has a special on him it is a must see!!!!
For you younger guys – if ESPN ever has a special on him it is a must see!!!!
.
1969
The Mets knock the Cubs out of the Penant race in Shea Stadium.... remember all the white hankies?
Then they found Leo Durocher in a hotel room in Kenosha with a 19 year old...
Looking back... maybe we should be jealous of the old ****...
cadDAD
****************************
"It's just too hot to wear clothes today," Jack says as he stepped
out of the shower, "honey, what do you think the neighbors would
think if I mowed the lawn like this?"
"Probably that I married you for your money," she replied.
.
1969
The Mets knock the Cubs out of the Penant race in Shea Stadium.... remember all the white hankies?
Then they found Leo Durocher in a hotel room in Kenosha with a 19 year old...
Looking back... maybe we should be jealous of the old ****...
cadDAD
****************************
"It's just too hot to wear clothes today," Jack says as he stepped
out of the shower, "honey, what do you think the neighbors would
think if I mowed the lawn like this?"
"Probably that I married you for your money," she replied.
.
My son's junior year, regional final, the other team had beaten us 3 times all year. 7th inning...only 3 hits the entire game, we rally and our SS hits 3 run jack to tie, then, the young man, who had not pitched since the end of March, comes in to work out of a bases loaded jam on the mound. We end up winning in the 9th, when the SS hit ANOTHER HR. We were hosting the regionals that year so it was a rush.
This is a neat question AK. First, I definitely remember the Brooks Robinson series noted above against the Reds. They called him the human vacuum sweeper. The year after, one of my boyhood favorites - Roberto Clemente put on a show against those same Orioles.
My most memorable game was a perfect game and I watched it on TV but there was a story to it. The fact I even watched it was the story. All during the 60's, 70's, and 80's the Indians were probably the worst run franchise in all of sports. It seemed when they had hitting they did not have the pitching and visa versa. They were perennial losers and hence often only drew about 5,000 fans per game on most nights. Looking back, it is amazing they drew that many.
Anyhoo... it was a Friday night in the spring of 1980, I was 20 years old, and all my friends wanted to go out as we always did on Friday nights. Not for me this night. I said, "I want to stay home and watch the Indians." They said, "The Indians, are you nuts!!"
I said, I want to watch Len Barker pitch tonight because he really has impressed me thus far. He has got an outstanding fastball and a really good breaking ball. That didn't seem to convince them
Well... after about seven innings, Len Barker was mowing them down with one of the best curve balls I have ever seen. Knee-buckling curve balls. All of a sudden, people started showing up at my house. They said "Do you realize what is happening down at the Stadium?" No duh! Being supersticious about baseball, I said "If anyone of you knuckleheads mouths the words about what is going on down there, I will never speak to you again and you will have to fight me out on my front lawn after the game"
The final innings of that game were some of the most exciting/breath-taking I have ever experienced. Len Barker ended up throwing the 14th perfect game in major league history that night. He is still a legend in Cleveland to this day and makes his home here.
Here is the funny thing. Ask anyone from Cleveland who was around that night and they will tell you they were at that game. The announced attendance was less than 5,000 and from the looks of it on TV, there were probably less than 2,000 at the game. Now you know the rest of the story....
My most memorable game was a perfect game and I watched it on TV but there was a story to it. The fact I even watched it was the story. All during the 60's, 70's, and 80's the Indians were probably the worst run franchise in all of sports. It seemed when they had hitting they did not have the pitching and visa versa. They were perennial losers and hence often only drew about 5,000 fans per game on most nights. Looking back, it is amazing they drew that many.
Anyhoo... it was a Friday night in the spring of 1980, I was 20 years old, and all my friends wanted to go out as we always did on Friday nights. Not for me this night. I said, "I want to stay home and watch the Indians." They said, "The Indians, are you nuts!!"
I said, I want to watch Len Barker pitch tonight because he really has impressed me thus far. He has got an outstanding fastball and a really good breaking ball. That didn't seem to convince them
Well... after about seven innings, Len Barker was mowing them down with one of the best curve balls I have ever seen. Knee-buckling curve balls. All of a sudden, people started showing up at my house. They said "Do you realize what is happening down at the Stadium?" No duh! Being supersticious about baseball, I said "If anyone of you knuckleheads mouths the words about what is going on down there, I will never speak to you again and you will have to fight me out on my front lawn after the game"
The final innings of that game were some of the most exciting/breath-taking I have ever experienced. Len Barker ended up throwing the 14th perfect game in major league history that night. He is still a legend in Cleveland to this day and makes his home here.
Here is the funny thing. Ask anyone from Cleveland who was around that night and they will tell you they were at that game. The announced attendance was less than 5,000 and from the looks of it on TV, there were probably less than 2,000 at the game. Now you know the rest of the story....
Cal Ripken's last game, Oct 6, 2001 . We weren't even supposed to be there for the momentous occassion. We had purchased tickets for the Sept. 16th match-up between the Orioles and the Red Sox. However, due to the Sept. 11th attacks that year, major league baseball was forced to shuffle their schedules and somehow OUR game won the lottery that became Ripken's LAST game! It was a surreal atmosphere that night as being so close to Sept. 11th there were military helicopters constantly buzzing the stadium and you could see the silhouettes of swat men positioned along the top of the stadium. There was electricity in the air. As the Oriole's took the field for the last time with Ripken in the line-up....the starting line up from Cal's FIRST game, August 12, 1981 took the field with him (all except for SS Mark Belanger who had passed away...his son's positioned short stop in his memory). The past gave away to present and Ripken was then joined by his current team mates. Every at bat of Cal's seemed like a lightening storm with all the flashes going off in the crowd. The game ended with Brady Anderson trying his best, with two outs, to extend the game one more batter so Cal would get another shot at the plate. A standing chorus of "We Want Cal" literally shook the stadium, but it was not to be as Brady struck out to end the game leaving leaving Cal in the batter's box and ending his playing days. The aftergame on field festivities then began and the stadium REALLY started rocking.
I think this game is so "perfect" for me for two reasons. One, the whole baseball historical significance of that night for Cal Ripken ending his playing days and that unbelievable playing streak. And secondly, the already emotional mood of that night was compounded even FURTHER by it's occurance so close to 9/11. It was almost as if there was a DEFIANT mood in that crowd that Americans were going to show the world that life goes on, we are still going to CELEBRATE our great accomplishments and our love of baseball.
It was truly memorable....and here we thought we purchased tickets to a regular game for Sept. 16, 2001!
I think this game is so "perfect" for me for two reasons. One, the whole baseball historical significance of that night for Cal Ripken ending his playing days and that unbelievable playing streak. And secondly, the already emotional mood of that night was compounded even FURTHER by it's occurance so close to 9/11. It was almost as if there was a DEFIANT mood in that crowd that Americans were going to show the world that life goes on, we are still going to CELEBRATE our great accomplishments and our love of baseball.
It was truly memorable....and here we thought we purchased tickets to a regular game for Sept. 16, 2001!
Definitely the high school state championship game in 2003. It was the one year that Massachusetts mandated the use of wood bats, so it was "real" baseball. The scheduled 7 inning game went to the 11th inning before we lost, 1-0, on a ground ball that rolled just out of reach of the pitcher, shortstop and second baseman. There were spectacular defensive plays by both teams and terrific pitching--both starters threw 9 shutout innings. In the end, a walk, a sacrifice and he aforesaid grounder-wth-eyes did us in. The next morning just about every paper in the state had a photo of our son reaching back in desparation trying to get the tag on the runner at home, but, alas, the runner's hand had already crossed the plate. After the game we heard many people say that it was the best baseball game they'd ever seen. I have to agree, althoug it would be a better memory with a different result. 
I know this will sound totally silly---
A 7/8 year old softball game--Little League, even---
Where typically the score is one kajillion to a bazillion and dandelions fear for their safety and not even the infield gravel is safe....
And the little girls were actually hitting the ball and the little girls were actually catching the ball and the pitchers really pitched and the fielders really made the plays and after the complete game of 4 innings (called due to darkness), the score was 1-0. No errors were committed. It was the most incredible game I ever witnessed. It didn't even matter who won or what the snack du jour was. The game was sweet enough.
A 7/8 year old softball game--Little League, even---
Where typically the score is one kajillion to a bazillion and dandelions fear for their safety and not even the infield gravel is safe....
And the little girls were actually hitting the ball and the little girls were actually catching the ball and the pitchers really pitched and the fielders really made the plays and after the complete game of 4 innings (called due to darkness), the score was 1-0. No errors were committed. It was the most incredible game I ever witnessed. It didn't even matter who won or what the snack du jour was. The game was sweet enough.
An end of regular season LL game back in 1968. With two outs and two on in the botom of the sixth, a light hitting catcher (batting 9th of course) stepped up to the plate and calmly stroked the first pitch he saw into the gap in right center, scoring the tying and winning runs. This rare safety by a most unlikely hero not only won the game, but it preserved a perfect 16-0 season. Some moments last a lifetime.
AK Baseball;
There are many perfect games from 1955 when I played against Willie Mays, Henry Aaron, Ernie Banks in El Paso Texas, however as an organizer of baseball events [Area Code and Japan/America Series], my thoughts are of the Goodwill Series in Perth, Western Australia December 23, 2007.
Our American '18' and under team played the Perth Heat Professional team in a night game which attracted 2,000 people.
Our American team was coached by Carl Nichols and Gary Wheelock, former Major League players. The final score was 4-3 in the American team favor.
There were no errors and few walks. Next year, we have invited a team from China, Russia and Japan to participate in this Goodwill Series.
"This is the beauty of International Baseball.
Bob Williams
There are many perfect games from 1955 when I played against Willie Mays, Henry Aaron, Ernie Banks in El Paso Texas, however as an organizer of baseball events [Area Code and Japan/America Series], my thoughts are of the Goodwill Series in Perth, Western Australia December 23, 2007.
Our American '18' and under team played the Perth Heat Professional team in a night game which attracted 2,000 people.
Our American team was coached by Carl Nichols and Gary Wheelock, former Major League players. The final score was 4-3 in the American team favor.
There were no errors and few walks. Next year, we have invited a team from China, Russia and Japan to participate in this Goodwill Series.
"This is the beauty of International Baseball.
Bob Williams
.
Ernie Banks....
I got to meet Mr. Cub in 1984 in a hotel room in Las Vegas. My Dad (now watching the cadKids from his sky box) was Ernie's biggest fan, and was with me that day. Ernie was sitting on the edge of a bed, signing balls and just talking about the smell of glove leather, and the beer vendors in the stands at Wrigley.
Now that's baseball...
Too bad the pros can't get back to kids playing the game for the love and "smell of it". I know two who would pay "them" to play....
cadDAD
.
Ernie Banks....
I got to meet Mr. Cub in 1984 in a hotel room in Las Vegas. My Dad (now watching the cadKids from his sky box) was Ernie's biggest fan, and was with me that day. Ernie was sitting on the edge of a bed, signing balls and just talking about the smell of glove leather, and the beer vendors in the stands at Wrigley.
Now that's baseball...
Too bad the pros can't get back to kids playing the game for the love and "smell of it". I know two who would pay "them" to play....
cadDAD
.
I used to chat with Ernie all the time when I was in college in Chicago. I was a waiter at a nice restaurant he frequented. Served him many times. He was a wonderful guy - always interested in talking, asked about school, career plans, etc. Will never forget it.
Nor will I forget the most memorable MLB game I attended. 1986 Cubs, Saturday game of the week nationally televised. Ryne Sandburg ties the game in the ninth inning with a homer (think it was a three run shot) and then wins it in the 11th, I think, with another homer.
That game has been credited with sealing his MVP title that year. It was incredible, and it was a last minute decision to even go to the game.
Nor will I forget the most memorable MLB game I attended. 1986 Cubs, Saturday game of the week nationally televised. Ryne Sandburg ties the game in the ninth inning with a homer (think it was a three run shot) and then wins it in the 11th, I think, with another homer.
That game has been credited with sealing his MVP title that year. It was incredible, and it was a last minute decision to even go to the game.
04's Freshman college season, nearing the end, few midweek starts, gets the nod for the 1st game on a Saturday conference game???
Turns out the other team has one heck of an ace, scouts in to see him...I think my kid just got thrown to the wolves!
Scoreless through 5 innings, we get a 2 run homer in the 6th to take the lead, they are at bat, K, K, about now...Cleveland Dad, wish YOU had been there, some idiot says to me "You know he has a perfect game going...."
Next batter gets a hit, as does the next and the next, to score 1, and finally another k.
Son throws a complete game, 3H 7k 0bb team wins 2-1. Its a game we will always remember. That team went on to win the conference and tournament and the other pitcher was drafted later that yr.
Turns out the other team has one heck of an ace, scouts in to see him...I think my kid just got thrown to the wolves!
Scoreless through 5 innings, we get a 2 run homer in the 6th to take the lead, they are at bat, K, K, about now...Cleveland Dad, wish YOU had been there, some idiot says to me "You know he has a perfect game going...."
Next batter gets a hit, as does the next and the next, to score 1, and finally another k.
Son throws a complete game, 3H 7k 0bb team wins 2-1. Its a game we will always remember. That team went on to win the conference and tournament and the other pitcher was drafted later that yr.
I can think of a couple of favorite games, but I'll describe this one:
Unlike many who move on to select after age 12, son and quite a few very talented players played as Jr. League All Stars at age 14. They played awesome all summer, winning district and sectionals and making it to the Texas West state tournament. We all drove to Waco and were in awe of the beautifully-manicured fields and huge (to us) baseball stadium. Then we made a beeline to the giftshop and bought souvenirs of the momentous event.
Son's team was devastated to lose the first game and was sent into the loser's bracket. But they battled back and won every game. Lo and behold, they ended up in the championship game against the team that first beat them. We won the game and you would have thought we had won the world series. All of us went absolutely wild! But.....it was a double-elimination tournament, so we had to beat this team a second time. After eating lunch, we headed back to the field elated. But this time, we would not be so fortunate. The opposing team threw their ace (the pitcher who had beaten us the first time around) and my son was the only one who got a hit off him. All of our pitchers looked like they had the life sucked out of them and the opposing team got hits off them right and left. We lost the game and I don't know if I have ever felt so empty and deflated. I remember driving the three hours home thinking, "Now what??????"
Obviously, time heals all wounds and we have all moved on to bigger and better (?) things. But we have continued to follow the amazing pitcher who did us in. His name? Walker Kelley, who helped lead Arlington Heights High School to the Texas 4A state finals last May. I believe he is currently PG's top-ranked '08 player in Texas. We will never forget that game!
Unlike many who move on to select after age 12, son and quite a few very talented players played as Jr. League All Stars at age 14. They played awesome all summer, winning district and sectionals and making it to the Texas West state tournament. We all drove to Waco and were in awe of the beautifully-manicured fields and huge (to us) baseball stadium. Then we made a beeline to the giftshop and bought souvenirs of the momentous event.
Son's team was devastated to lose the first game and was sent into the loser's bracket. But they battled back and won every game. Lo and behold, they ended up in the championship game against the team that first beat them. We won the game and you would have thought we had won the world series. All of us went absolutely wild! But.....it was a double-elimination tournament, so we had to beat this team a second time. After eating lunch, we headed back to the field elated. But this time, we would not be so fortunate. The opposing team threw their ace (the pitcher who had beaten us the first time around) and my son was the only one who got a hit off him. All of our pitchers looked like they had the life sucked out of them and the opposing team got hits off them right and left. We lost the game and I don't know if I have ever felt so empty and deflated. I remember driving the three hours home thinking, "Now what??????"
Obviously, time heals all wounds and we have all moved on to bigger and better (?) things. But we have continued to follow the amazing pitcher who did us in. His name? Walker Kelley, who helped lead Arlington Heights High School to the Texas 4A state finals last May. I believe he is currently PG's top-ranked '08 player in Texas. We will never forget that game!
sr. babe ne regional,two in state teams with a little attitude for each other.last game on fri. under the lights.right before the game was opening ceremony's so the place was full of parents and players. both pitchers having a great game. our local pitcher was also a very good hitter. 5th inning game 0-0. lead off batter walks,next guy k's,third guy bunts for a single. 2 men on 1 out .now the pitcher is up, they are intentionaly walking the kid, first pitch is close the kid takes a swing fouls it off. next pitch ball. the pitcher wants this kid bad, so i think he trys to sneak another strike on the corner.kid hits a line shot 3 run homer,the place was crazy. like an explosion of sound that i've never heard before. that just pumped up our local team, and the pitcher i think he struck out 7 of the last 9 he faced.this probably loses a lot in the translation ,but by far one of the best youth games i've seen.
My favorite was in 1976. (No disrespect to my Metsies of course).
We were playing in the Babe Ruth Regional Championships - double elimination. 17-19 year olds. We were NY State champs for the 2nd summer in a row. State champs playing against each other - all from the Northeast - at Glassboro College.
We had won the year before - and represented the East Coast at the Babe Ruth World Series in Florida - playing against 3 other US Regionals champs - and a bunch of foreign championship teams. It was big time for us. 2 week all expense paid trip - staying at the Gault Ocean Mile Hotel - win or lose. Banquets - parades - lots of fans - it was a pretty big deal for us.
It all came down to a critical game on the 6th day of the tournament - and the night before - the team we were going to play the next day gave us a really hard time.
They - ultimately - had many illegal (older) players - and the tournament actually had a 2 day delay because of a court injunction. They prevailed and got to play anyway.
These guys told us how we wouldnt be going to Florida this time - and how they were going to annihilate us. Their starting pitcher didnt lose a game in three years - blah blah blah. They had an All-state this and an All-State that.
Blah blah blah.
Game time
First pitch - my teammate Tommy Bohlander leads off - hits the ball about 400 feet - dead center - into the parking lot.
We beat their brains in - and when it was over - we were going to Florida - and they were going back to Palookaville. LOL
That was my favorite ever.
We were playing in the Babe Ruth Regional Championships - double elimination. 17-19 year olds. We were NY State champs for the 2nd summer in a row. State champs playing against each other - all from the Northeast - at Glassboro College.
We had won the year before - and represented the East Coast at the Babe Ruth World Series in Florida - playing against 3 other US Regionals champs - and a bunch of foreign championship teams. It was big time for us. 2 week all expense paid trip - staying at the Gault Ocean Mile Hotel - win or lose. Banquets - parades - lots of fans - it was a pretty big deal for us.
It all came down to a critical game on the 6th day of the tournament - and the night before - the team we were going to play the next day gave us a really hard time.
They - ultimately - had many illegal (older) players - and the tournament actually had a 2 day delay because of a court injunction. They prevailed and got to play anyway.
These guys told us how we wouldnt be going to Florida this time - and how they were going to annihilate us. Their starting pitcher didnt lose a game in three years - blah blah blah. They had an All-state this and an All-State that.
Blah blah blah.
Game time
First pitch - my teammate Tommy Bohlander leads off - hits the ball about 400 feet - dead center - into the parking lot.
We beat their brains in - and when it was over - we were going to Florida - and they were going back to Palookaville. LOL
That was my favorite ever.