RSS Feed
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Taking Names and Keeping Score
I would venture to say that the crowd, if not evenly split, was pretty close. Early on in the game, the rhythmic chant "let's go Red Sox," coming from the Red Sox faithful was so loud and in sync that it brought back memories of the two trips we made to Fenway Park several years back. Of course as the game progressed and the Atlanta crowd finally got settled into their seats they matched and at times even drowned out the Red Sox fans with chants and cheers of their own. The game itself was a good one to watch if you like offense like most fans do in this day and time. The two teams combined to produce 25 total hits including five homeruns, three by Boston and two by Atlanta. Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp had a career day going 4 for 4 with two homeruns while the Braves had five of their starters with two or more hits in the game; Willie Harris, Brian McCann, and Scott Thorman with two apiece and crowd favorite Chipper Jones and Edgar Renteria with three each. Of course offense wasn't the only good thing coming from the game. Those of us in attendance got to see some outstanding defensive play as well and because both offenses were so prominent, each team used a number of pitchers. Boston ran five to the mound throughout the course of the game while Atlanta called on six to get the job done. Here again a baseball fan like myself got pleasure from having the opportunity to see so many different pitchers with so many different approaches to handling hitters including; their choice of pitches, change of speed, and ability to locate on and off the plate. Velocity was something of interest too with fast balls ranging from 88 to 98 mph and off speed or breaking pitches crossing the plate any where from 71 to 82 mph. Many of the greats in the game today and some who I predict will wear that title in the future participated in the game including; Red Sox players J. D. Drew, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling, Jason Varitek and Kevin Youkilis plus Braves Jeff Francoeur, Andruw Jones, Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, Edgar Renteria and Bob Wickman. I can't leave out the managers either; there was Atlanta's Bobby Cox who is no doubt destined for the Hall of Fame and a relatively young Boston skipper Terry Francona who has to be considered one of the young lions in the business today. Add in those other intangibles like the sound of the bleacher vendors hawking allsorts of cold liquid refreshment and food items that run the gambit from dogs, burgers, pretzels, and cotton candy to the traditional peanuts and cracker jacks; the giant digital scoreboard and surround sound throughout the stadium giving out all the information I wanted or needed about the players and what was happening in the game; the constant gimmicks and between inning entertainment; and the simple pleasure or annoyance, whichever it may be, that comes from watching all the people who were in the stands with me and you can see why my latest trip to a Major League ball park was so much fun. Of course for my good friend, former classmate and fellow worker at the Times, Tonya Joyce, the fact that the Braves beat the boys from Boston 9-4 was another good reason I should have enjoyed the game. As much as I like watching professional baseball on television and the convenience of being right at home when it is over, I must admit there is nothing like being at a stadium to see it in person. There are just so many things that are part of the whole experience that television can't bring into your home. Don't get me wrong I don't anticipate becoming a season ticket holder but there is no doubt in my mind that as opportunities come in the future I will make the effort to go see other games in person. Until next time .......be safe! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
