There’s a picture of me at the Westchester County Fair in NY when I’m four years old. I am holding a cotton candy that’s almost the same size as me, and I’m wearing a Mets hat.
The other day I was driving around Anderson Township when I spotted a Mets sweatshirt strung over a guardrail. I drove over, snapped a picture, sent it to my friend, and called it an omen for the 2015 season. Though, to be honest, as a Mets fan, I’m not sure whether it’s a good or bad omen.
You see, baseball is that sport where bloodlines run deep. Yes, I grew up in the Bronx. So why am I not a Yankee fan? Well, you have to understand the history of NY baseball for that answer. Suffice it to say, my grandfather was and is a huge Giants fan. When they jumped ship to California, his kids stayed Giants fans. My brother and I, who had never seen the Giants play in NY, decided to go for the next best thing – the National League Metsies. Because “We root for the Communists before we root for the Yankees.”
It’s about to be baseball season in a city that is fortunate enough to only have one team. There’s camaraderie to an extent. I’m sure the local newspaper and radio stations wax philosophical about the nuances of each game, each play, each player. You are lucky, Cincinnati.
Growing up rooting for an unpopular team was a badge of courage. Nothing was more exciting than the highly touted Subway Series, where tickets are good as gold if you’re a Mets fan. At least we had a chance to reign supreme in the city, albeit for a short time. In high school, the Yankees won the world series three out of my four years. THREE out of my four years. Everyone cut school the day of the parade except for the few Mets fans who proudly wore their Mets jerseys to school and high-fived the other three people who showed up to class.
On Wednesdays, you could get into Shea Stadium for free with a Pepsi can.
But baseball bonds families. My almost 94 year old grandfather still watches every game. Even when he’s snoring he knows the score. My mom watches most games. My dad watches most games. My brother and I debate pitching rotations. My uncle still watches every single Giants game, often traveling to see them play. (He will be here in Cincinnati in May and I’m not sure who is the bigger draw – his great-niece or the Giants.) I have ridiculous stories about hanging out with my friends at baseball games, my spawning my often-said, rarely understood phrase,
“What’s a bullpen?” And if I’m being honest, my husband decided to marry me because on our first date I griped incessantly about David Wright’s double clutch. True story.
One of my joys and sorrows will involve my daughter watching her first live baseball game. Nothing beats the lessons of the baseball diamond. Patience. Strategy. Teamwork. And nothing beats the sights, sounds, and smells. Summer in a nutshell. But the thought that she will most likely become a Reds fan hurts just a little, I’m not going to lie. At least it’s still the National League.
I can’t wait until she’s old enough and we can watch “A League of Their Own” and I can tell her that Dorothy Kamenshek, a first basewoman for the Rockford Peaches, hailed from Cincinnati. And that the film is loosely based on her story. (And I just fell a little more in love with this city.) We can sing “We’re all for one, we’re one for all, we’re all American.” I can tell her that “Of course it’s hard. If it weren’t hard everyone would do it. The hard is what will make it great.” So many life lessons.
We will go to the Parade April 6th. Then we will go to the game. Because we are lucky enough to have scored opening day tickets in a market that may be more difficult than even the Yankees. I can’t wait. And you will definitely see us in September, maybe rocking some Mets gear. Be nice! We can always bond over our shared disdain for the Cardinals.
Top 5 Things I Will Miss the Most Besides the Actual Team and City…
1. Shake Shack at the stadium
2. The Best TV Announcers in Baseball: Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez, and Ron Darling
3. The “secret” free parking
4. “Meet the Mets” Song
5. Mr. Met (Think Mr. Redlegs, sans mustache)
I probably should mention that my husband is a Phillies fan. With his own set of memories and his own plan for our daughter’s cheering future. But I write for this blog, not him, so, Go Mets!
I keep hearing that Opening Day in Cincinnati is a holiday. I get it. I don’t think I ever went to school or work myself on Opening Day… Please don’t rat me out! So if you are as ridiculously excited as I am, here are some fast facts and some events that take place on Monday, April 6th and be sure not to wear Black or Yellow…:
Facts:
Opening Day: Monday April 6, 2015 4:10PM
Opponent: Pittsburgh Pirates
Starting Pitcher for the Reds: Most likely Johnny Cueto
Starting Pitcher for the Pirates: Francisco Liriano
Number of Seats at Great American Ballpark: 42,270
*2015 is the 126th season for the Cincinnati Reds
*1990 was the last year the Reds won the World Series, 25 years ago.
Opening Day Events:
Findlay Market Parade: 12:00. Starts at Findlay Market on Race. The 2015 Grand Marshals are The Nasty Boys (25th Anniversary): Norm Charlton, Rob Dibble, and Randy Myers. They are bullpen heroes.
Washington Park Opening Day Celebration: Free! Festivities begin at 11:00 AM. There will be beverages for sale, games, and live music from the local band Glory Days. The Parade passes right by on Elm Street, directly in front of Music Hall, so it’s a great place to really catch the action. There is bleacher seating for those who want to sit to take in the sights. After the parade there will be more music, family-friendly activities, food and beverages including beer, wine, mixed drinks, soft drinks, and water. Plus, if you’re like me and couldn’t procure tickets, the park will be showing the game on a giant LED screen. Remember, the game starts at 4:10 PM.
Opening Day Block Party: Joe Nuxhall Way and Freedom Way right outside Great American Ball Park. From 11AM-4PM benefiting the P&G MLB Urban Youth Academy. Live broadcasts from WEBN and Fox Sports Ohio with live bands.
Q102 & Moerlein Lager House Opening Day Pre-Party: 10AM. Inside and outsid with a festival tent on the lawn featuring DJ ETrayn and specia guests Holly Morgan and Jon Jon from Q102. Between 10 AM and Noon you could win a $100 Moerlein Lager House gift card and meet baseball legend “Mr. Perfect” Tom Browning. The first 500 people will receive VIP which gets you a $10 gift card to Moerlein Lager House and a wristband that grants you entry all day.
Joseph Beth Bookseller: located at 2692 Madison Road: If large crowds aren’t your thing, Joseph Beth is having an Opening Day Storytime at 10:30 AM. Wear your favorite gear, as the kids will get to march in a parade!
Plus, remember, fireworks every Friday night game, 9 Bobblehead games on various Saturdays as part of Super Saturdays, and Sunday Family Days with a kids giveaway.
What’s your favorite Cincinnati Reds’ memory and/or tradition?
But baseball bonds families. My almost 94 year old grandfather still watches every game. Even when he’s snoring he knows the score. My mom watches most games. My dad watches most games. My brother and I debate pitching rotations. My uncle still watches every single Giants game, often traveling to see them play. (He will be here in Cincinnati in May and I’m not sure who is the bigger draw – his great-niece or the Giants.) I have ridiculous stories about hanging out with my friends at baseball games, my spawning my often-said, rarely understood phrase, “What’s a bullpen?” And if I’m being honest, my husband decided to marry me because on our first date I griped incessantly about David Wright’s double clutch. True story.
I can’t wait until she’s old enough and we can watch “A League of Their Own” and I can tell her that Dorothy Kamenshek, a first basewoman for the Rockford Peaches, hailed from Cincinnati. And that the film is loosely based on her story. (And I just fell a little more in love with this city.) We can sing “We’re all for one, we’re one for all, we’re all American.” I can tell her that “Of course it’s hard. If it weren’t hard everyone would do it. The hard is what will make it great.” So many life lessons.
This is fun to read….One thing I miss, living in Naples is Baseball…Thank you, Jamie..!