I wish I were a kid again. (1701 hits)
Category: SportsRating: 1.85 on 53 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Bigmike (View user info) at 2006-10-13 09:56:29 EDT
I sat in the mezzanine of Shea Stadium in 1969 to watch the Mets play the Dodgers. We were visiting relatives in Whitestone and my uncle thought it would be a good idea to go to a games. The Mets won in ten innings that night and I was hooked forever.
I was nine years old and Shea was a huge structure to me. In subsequent years it became my altar of sorts, watching my Mets lose game after game, hanging my head low after each loss. Watching as they stunned everybody and made it to the playoffs, my head held high. This is baseball after all, and I would live and die by my teams performance.
I would stand at the plate during our games down at the "Y" Field park pretending that I was Tommie Agee. I would stand on the pitchers mound, simulating the stance, wind up, and delivery of Tom Seaver. I was a decent hitter, but I was a better pitcher. Tom Seaver helped me with that as he helped millions of other young boys, no doubt. Wathing him pitch was like watching a symphony. I would examine every nuance of his delivery. The way he brought his hands up. The way he strode towards the plate. The way he would drag his back knee, using his legs to power the ball towards a helpless hitter. I was always amazed at that back knee drag. I would always ask myself, "How does he do that?"
Watching the Mets in the playoffs always brings back these memories to me. It happened in '73, '86, '99, and 2000. I always go back to the days of my childhood. I always yearn for the days of caring about nothing in the world but who will be at the park to play in a pick up game. It was a simpler time and it was the best time of my life.
And I am reliving it right now.
So, sit back and relax. If you are not a baseball fan, now is the time to try it on for size. There is no more exciting time in baseball than the playoffs. There is drama, excitement, and humor. It's not a war like football. The fans aren't hardly exciting as a stadium full of soccer (futbol) hooligans. There are no octupi or hats thrown onto the field like in ice hockey.
There are only players and their loyal fans hanging on every pitch, celebrating every home run, cheering for every strikout.
It is a majestic game steeped in history and loved dearly by those who play and watch.
Try it on for size, see if it fits.
Oh, and LET'S GO METS!!
User Reviews
Submitted by djhurricane (user info) at 2006-10-22 00:49:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Mets are a fun team to follow. It takes a lot of character to be a mets fan. Especially living in NY. But they seem to break your heart year after year. I lived in Queens for a few years. Lived on Kissena Blvd and could walk to shea. Then Woodside just a few stops on the 7 to Shea and then College Point. There used to be some of the worlds best pizza joints around NYC. Big Ass Slices dripping in oil and cheese. Can't beat it. I know Whitestone really well. Great neighborhood.
Thanks for the memory.
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-19 23:51:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
God damn son of a bitch.
Fuck.
It was a good game though.
Damn Mets breakin my heart.
I guess I'm rooting for Detroit now.
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-19 18:08:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-19 09:58:01 (#)
Ranking: 2
It's been a good series, man. Sorry your guys have to lose tonight.
I wish I could argue with you, but with a bad performance by Oliver Perez looming above Shea Stadium like a black cloud threatening to let loose with a torrent of hurricane force, I can't bring myself to talk even the most minimalist of smack.
I love my Mets, but alas, I am a realist.
We need to score like 15 runs tonight to win.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-19 09:58:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
It's been a good series, man. Sorry your guys have to lose tonight.
:)
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-19 00:32:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-18 23:36:08 (#)
Ranking: 2
Damn Mets.
Damn ump.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-18 22:26:35 (#)
Ranking: 2
officiating is horrible at the plate tonight
If it wasn't for Wagner, the shutout was going to happen.
Jeez, The Mets have to be up by at least three before bringing his ass into a playoff game. I was screaming at the TV watching him pitch.
GAME SEVEN IS ON BABY!
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-18 23:36:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Damn Mets.
Damn ump.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-18 22:26:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
officiating is horrible at the plate tonight
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-17 23:57:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Cards won.
Dammit. I wish the Mets had some pitching.
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-17 23:30:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-17 16:19:35 (#)
Ranking: 2
game time in 4 hours
i like how this has become my official place to say things about baseball. it's comfortable in here. like a cozy den.
This is a baseball place. All baseball talk is welcome.
Cards are winning, fucking bastards.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-17 16:19:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
game time in 4 hours
i like how this has become my official place to say things about baseball. it's comfortable in here. like a cozy den.
i wonder where my beer is? or should i have a nice whiskey instead?
go baseball.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-17 12:28:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
you should follow the Cardinals Stag.
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-17 12:18:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-10-17 06:15:22 (#)
Ranking: 1
I don't know if that's a gentle dig at me... but I'll take it at face value.
No dig. I'm being completely honest here. No reason to dig. I am painfully American and I never even give it a thought. Other perspectives would be nice. Maybe practice a little empathy or something.
Anyway, I need to work on that in my life. I know this.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-10-17 06:15:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I don't know if that's a gentle dig at me... but I'll take it at face value. When talking football, most people will just say how many points their team has. So 4 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw would be 13 points.
I'm enjoying baseball for the first time ever this year. My girlfriend plays softball and I went to watch most of her matches this year. Now baseball season is kicking off over here and a couple of my friends play. I'm rubbish myself but I like watching their games. I keep meaning to select an American baseball team to follow but I haven't got round to it yet.
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-17 02:04:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-10-17 00:46:43 (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:05:43 (#)
Ranking: 2
If this was about football it'd have been a +2
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I like how quaintly American the reporting of your son's team's stats was. 4-3-1? Is that 4 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss? I reckon that's 15 points.
Quaintly American? I guess I don't know any other way. I'm ridiculously American I suppose, except for politics and all.
4 wins
3losses
1 draw.
Maybe I should try harder to see life from other perspectives. It can only be a good thing, right?
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-10-17 00:46:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:05:43 (#)
Ranking: 2
If this was about football it'd have been a +2
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I like how quaintly American the reporting of your son's team's stats was. 4-3-1? Is that 4 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss? I reckon that's 15 points.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-15 23:56:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
damn it.
that is all.
just...damn it.
your guys took full advantage of our horrid pitching and their defense was top notch. still a great series. see you tomorrow night, i need my sleep.
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-15 23:43:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
All tied up again.
12-5
Woo Hoo!
Hope you had a good time at the game.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-14 00:16:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
WHOOOOO!!!
Thank you basebaLL gods!
See you in St. Louis, BigMike.
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-14 00:13:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Wow, I do have 9000.
No Shit.
Submitted by Maltese (user info) at 2006-10-13 21:06:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO I'm your 9000th reviewer!!!
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-10-13 17:03:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The Let's Go's!
(I really like the mascot)
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-13 15:38:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i'm nobody's enemy. i just had to express my feelings about the Cards - Mets series.
peple thought it would be a slug fest last night but that was a pitching game if i ever saw one. always get me tense watching those because the game can be lost in a second. like it was last night. damn it.
i DO love the game. i'm going to Sundays matchup. my not yet 2 year old son will be going to his third big league game.
here's hoping Beltran et al come down with a raging case of explosive diarrhea in the next couple hours!!
Submitted by Spacegrass (user info) at 2006-10-13 15:36:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
True story. On October 25, 1986, a young Mets fan was awoken by his parents to see history in the making. It was game 6 of the 1986 World Series, and the Mets were locked in an epic battle with the Red Sox, ending with one of the most improbable finishes of all time. Of course, I have to buy the DVD. I was tired and went back to sleep. DAMMIT! Oh well. Go Mets!
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-13 14:29:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
"It's a good time, sitting out in deep center, scoring a game with nothing to listen to but the crack of a bat and the roar of a crowd. My niece loves it, too. She's been to 7 games in the past 2 years, and she's only 4 1/2."
You get a good view of the city also, do you not jgreening?
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-13 14:13:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:35:22 (#)
Ranking: 2
I WANT TO -2 THIS SOOOOOOOOO BAD.
YOU GUYS WON LAST NIGHT ON ONE PITCH. NOTHING MORE.
Funny game, isn't it?
Don't be my enemy scourge, we can share our love of baseball, can't we?
Mets win tonight 3-2. That's my prediction.
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-13 14:04:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-10-13 13:45:07 (#)
Ranking: 2
it's football season you silly boy
It's always baseball season for me.
Ok redskies, at least I called him a keeper and not just a goalie. :)
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-10-13 13:45:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
it's football season you silly boy
Submitted by Amontillado (user info) at 2006-10-13 13:32:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The Braves remind me of my childhood.
Submitted by creep_firebombing (user info) at 2006-10-13 13:30:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Fuck the Mets.
Fuck baseball.
Submitted by jgreening (user info) at 2006-10-13 12:50:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm kind of an odd-breed fan in that I have 2 loyalties.
But it's justified.
When I was growing up, all we had was AAA baseball here in Denver (Bears and then Zephyrs) so I grew up a Red Sox fan. All because when I was a kid, I saw a game on TV one day and I liked their hats. (I was like, 5 or 6, shaddup.)
but then in 92, Denver got a major league team, and the Rox started playing in 93, and since they're my hometown team, they're now my fave.
I catch 15-20 games a year, sitting in the cheap seats (Rockpile, dead center, awesome view) $4 ticket, $1.50 bus ride to the stadium, $5 for soda and peanuts outside and $1.50 for a scorecard.
It's a good time, sitting out in deep center, scoring a game with nothing to listen to but the crack of a bat and the roar of a crowd. My niece loves it, too. She's been to 7 games in the past 2 years, and she's only 4 1/2.
Submitted by MyTeeOne (user info) at 2006-10-13 12:44:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I got into baseball a few years ago. We have a real team (the white sox) and...um...the cubs. If it wasn't for the laid back beer garden that is Wrigley, I would have never started to appreciate the game. If it wasn't for the sox, I would have never been able to cheer on the home team.
Today is also the anniversary of the Steve Bartman incident.
Submitted by forthewin (user info) at 2006-10-13 12:20:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 baseball
Submitted by St_Jimmy (user info) at 2006-10-13 11:35:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Man I used to love baseball. I saw my first game when I was 7 at the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium. This reminded me how huge the stadium seemed, the bright green outfield grass. From 1986 until 1994 I followed the Indians religioulsy (and boy did they suck!) The strike in '94 killed it for me though. Rich, greedy-ass players wanting more money from rich, greedy-ass owners. There were no good guys, no one to get behind. Rich assholes on strike against other rich assholes. And then they tore down Municipal Stadium and built Jacobs Field with all the crappy "modern" amenities with none of the character of the old stadium. It had literally half as many seats, so ticket prices shot way up. It's just not the same anymore, for me at least. Such is life.
Submitted by jgreening (user info) at 2006-10-13 11:31:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
*sigh*
gorockies
*groan*
Submitted by professorfuckface (user info) at 2006-10-13 11:28:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I can't give you cash but I can broker you taxis and pizzas
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2006-10-13 11:19:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Really, Method? You think?
Hey, Inflato-Head...That whole "Brand new Shlongy" schtick worked out beautifully for Shlongy...See how popular and universally loved I've become since I wnet through that phase?
So good luck with it.
Also, send me some cash for the rights to use it. Stat.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-10-13 11:02:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
BRAND NEW APOLLO
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:56:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The Amazin's.
Never was much of a Mets fan, but right now, I'd rather see them in the postseason than Atlanta.
Submitted by professorfuckface (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:55:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
<fags> </below>
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:47:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
<bait>STFU Shlongy you senile fuck, you never played for the Mets</bait>
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:41:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Auto Baseball +2. 1969 was a good year for a Mets fan.
I'm an American League guy but the two years I put in with the Mets in the 80's were pretty neat.
Now, of course, I hate 'em again.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:38:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
THE 2 IS JUST FOR THE SHARED LOVE OF THE GAME.
...BASTARD METS...
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:35:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I WANT TO -2 THIS SOOOOOOOOO BAD.
YOU GUYS WON LAST NIGHT ON ONE PITCH. NOTHING MORE.
I AM YOUR ENEMY UNTIL THE SERIES IS OVER.
GO CARDINALS.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:31:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:21:37 (#)
Ranking: 2
I live in Whitestone = )
ATTN INTERNET STALKERS: THE ABOVE STATEMENT WILL GREATLY HELP YOUR PATHETIC QUEST TO NARROW MY LOCATION DOWN AND THEN DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT IT
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just remember you gave me permission to sell that info if i split the buyout with you. of course then you'll have to use it on a security deposit to move but hey it'd be worth it for me.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:25:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Shut out?
SHUT OUT?
It's a "Clean Sheet." As in on the match report no goal scorers are mentioned against you.
Football is simply superb.
And Orgasmo is probs right - if this had been about the Beautiful Game - it would have got a +2.
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:21:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I live in Whitestone = )
ATTN INTERNET STALKERS: THE ABOVE STATEMENT WILL GREATLY HELP YOUR PATHETIC QUEST TO NARROW MY LOCATION DOWN AND THEN DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT IT
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:19:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
my first baseball game ever was the mets at shea. it was on my birthday and they actually won. i say "actually" because it was one of those years where they only won like two games they played in that season.
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:12:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Seeing that my son has played soccer this fall, I have changed my stance on "foot fairies" so to speak. He has never played soccer before and is still learning all the rules.
I really wasn't all that enthusiastic about him playing until he told me he was going to be the keeper. I thought that was a cool position to play.
He put up his first shutout last night.
His team is 4-3-1, so I guess he's doing pretty well for never playing before.
They won only one game last year.
I am still amazed over how athletic he can be. We are going to start throwing the baseball next week at his open gym at school.
Imagine my excitement.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:05:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
If this was about football it'd have been a +2.
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Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:05:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-10-13 09:59:16 (#)
Ranking: 2
Glavine did well last night.
I'm enjoying the ALCS a bit more simply because the crowds are just going batshit. Tonight's Detroit game is gonna have crazy electricity.
It better have electricity, it's going to be one cold mother there tonight.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-10-13 10:00:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-10-13 09:59:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Glavine did well last night.
I'm enjoying the ALCS a bit more simply because the crowds are just going batshit. Tonight's Detroit game is gonna have crazy electricity.
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2006-10-13 09:58:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
GO PHILLIES!
Oh, wait...
Um...
GO RYAN HOWARD FOR MVP!