Yay for Opening Day

So I have wanted to write this post for a couple of days, but I didn't want to talk about the start of a new baseball season until the Phillies had a win. So Monday passed, Tuesday went to the wayside, Wednesday was a no go. Finally, Thursday, three games into the season, I can finally talk about how excited I am about this season. I have been waiting for baseball since the four game sweep that ended the first playoff appearance for the Phils since 1993. I am excited to see if Chase Utley cam complete the MVP Trifecta. I am excited to make my yearly trip to Citizens Bank Park, and maybe a trip to either Yankee Stadium or Nationals Park... or both.

But this brings up an interesting point. I think I may be a two sport man. It is odd. I have always been a three sport plus guy. I love football and baseball, and in the past I was completely a basketball guy. I even like to attend some of the odd sports like Lacrosse, Arena Football (I think I would like it) and even a Soccer game. In recent years basketball has pretty much fallen off of my radar. I think some of this has to do with the fact that the Sixers have taken a turn for the worst since 2001. Also, since I am in Baltimore and there is no NBA presence it is hard to really follow the sport.

I think I am fine being a two sport guy. If I slip to one someone may come knocking for my Man Card.

Phillies - Game Two is Today

We are not going to talk about game one, except to say that we need to do better. Game two at 3:07 today.

Are We Doing This Again?

0-2

0 and 2

Once again the Eagles have started out the season looking like a Division IAA team.

Seriously... at least we have the Phillies.. for now.

Ok. Super Busy. Talk to You Later

The Phils?... Are they Making a Move???

We have won three straight from the Mets. We are going for a four game sweep tonight. We have a chance to get some momentum and make a move for the playoffs. Notice I am saying we, like I am on the field.

Listening to game four of the series, I have a sense of hope. We are getting back a number of quality players, like Chase Utley, and for the first time in a long time I think we have a shot at the playoffs. It is a good feeling, who would have thought the Phillies could bring me such joy (everyone should think this). Lets just hope there is no heartbreak.

I Crossed off My First Item and Had a Great Time Doing It

One down, one hundred to go.

On Friday I went to a Phillies game with Mom. We try to do something like this every year, and since the opening of Citizens Bank Park, it has been a no brainer. When I was younger, we went to Sixers games, but since I have gotten older, and the Sixers are a putrid excuse of a team, baseball is where it is at. Plus, there is a bonus of going to the game... THE FOOD.

Citizens Bank Park won the Food Network's Best Ballpark eats for 2007. There is a real local focus on what they serve, but we will get to that later, cause there was another reason that this game was special.

There are many sports heroes that have walked the field, but very few of them are heroes for what they did when they were not playing the game. On Friday the Phillies inducted into their Wall of Fame one of those heroes, John Vukovich. Vuk, was a staple of the Phillies Organization, spending 30 of his 41 years in baseball with the team, and was a resounding choice to be inducted this year. On a personal note, John had a couple of Kids, one of which is a nurse who worked with my Mom. It was pretty emotional to see, she cried a little bit.

The ceremony included all of the living Wall of Fame members. I was able to take some pictures. The last two are of the plaque as it was unveiled on the wall and one of Vuk's grand daughters (one of three triplets) as she took the ride around the field, a Philly tradition.

Harry Kalas, Hall of Fame Announcer

Greg "The Bull" Luzinski. This is the guy who has his name on the BBQ place at the park

Dallas Green, Manager of the '83 Phills

Michael Jack Schmidt, The Greatest Phillie of All Time

Unveiling the Plaque. Long Live Vuk.

Such a cute little kid... and there are three of them.

The tribute was pretty amazing, but then it was time for dinner and baseball. First on the list was the Schmitter Sandwich, the worlds most perfect sandwich. This thing is a beast, but it is delicious. The combination of fried meats, cheese, special sauce... it is great. Here is what goes into a Schmitter

I am not going to lie, the Schmitter is one of the reasons I go to the park. You can bite into it and hear your arteries begin to close. It is so good. Just take a look at how much mom enjoyed it.

Not the greatest picture of Mom, but look at that sandwich... Yum

The game started off really bad, with the braves scoring four runs in the top of the first. This is always disheartening. We really needed to start this series off well, hopefully with a win. My heart was lifted back up when the Phills came back in the bottom of the inning and scored four, two off a shot by Wes Helms. This set off one of the coolest things at the park. The Liberty bell in right field lights up and gongs with each phillies Home Run. Imagine the bell in the picture swingin' and ringin'.

The game remained tied until the seventh... But it was the fourth when the night got exciting again for Mom and I. We decided we were hungry again and headed down to Ashburn Alley. This area of the park, behind right field, is where the bullpens are located, the wall of fame and the best food in the park. The even mark the alley with this cool sign. Notice Ashburn's average and number of hits around his position. This mimics the was Philadelphia street signs are, with the block number on either side of the direction of the street.

In the Alley you can find some Philly Favorites, including Chicke & Pete's Crab Fries, Planet Hoagies, PA Dutch Funnel Cake and two of the Best Cheese Steaks, Rick's and Tony Luke's. We opted for Tony Lukes, because you can get their steaks with Broccoli Rabe, which they call a Steak Italian. We got one of those and a Roast Pork with the Rabe. While this picture is not from the game, it will give you a good idea of the deliciousness.

It was around this time that the crowded erupted in a roar. The Phillies scored on an error and took the lead 5-4. For the final inning mom and I looked for some seats down low, which we were able to find. There is nothing like a packed stadium, a one run lead and a closer that you hope can finish it out. Especially when you can see it from here

Overall it was a pretty magical evening. I am glad that this was the first thing I crossed off my list. I may be double or even triple striking this one out over the next couple of years. So after about 5000 Calories, some tears shed and one heck of a baseball game I am down to 100 things left to do.

It is Friday.... YAY Friday

I cannot wait for the weekend. I am headed to another baseball game today, but this one is in Philly... I love that park. I am taking my Mom, which is great, cause I can cross it off of my list (#27). Speaking of, I have started some of things on the list, but have not finished any. Still I feel really good about it.

I got into my Project Management Prep course. Through that I will study for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Certification (#10). The cert is really the Project Manager Professional Jr. It is not highly regarded in the industry, but it will set me on my desired professional path. In order to take the exam, I will need to Join the Project Management Institute (PMI) (#24)

Yay for things almost getting crossed off of the list.

Baseball... and I Feel Like a Dope

Last night I want to the O's game vs the Seattle Mariners. As part of the Chapter of Young Alumni Steering Committee I was lucky enough to be given a ticket to sit in the Comcast Private Suite. It was very cool, and by that I mean air conditioned. Game time temperature was 101, which is really really hot. There were Misting Tent(s) and free ice being given out at the stadium, but I was in the poshness of the suite.

I picked up Jordan and Erica in Dundalk and we went to the game. I had never tried to come to the stadium from the north and this caused some issues. We took 395 to Russel street and everything was going great until we got to the lot and had no permit. The lady was like, bear to the left and head to the lot at the end of the street. Okay, no problem. I drove down the street and when I clearly was supposed to go right Jordan and Erica both said the woman had said to make a hard left. I took their advice and ended up in the bowels of Raven's Stadium. We could actually see the field and if I wasn't afraid of the going to jail, could have driven my Hybrid right onto it, done a quick touchdown dance, and headed out. It was a little crazy.

We did make it to the right parking lot and headed to the stadium, it was then then we saw it... The sea of white uniforms. The Mid Ship Persons from the Academy were going o be in attendance at the game, which was good, but there were taking up alot of space getting into the place,which was not. The fact that they had to march into the stadium, as opposed to walking, is a little crazy, but to each their own.

We took our flashy tickets to the "hidden" escalator and up to the suite level. It was very cool seeing all of the big company names that were on the little signs by the door. We were in the Comcast box, which was on the third base side, even with home plate. After some schmoozing with the Alumni people, it was time for the game. As he normally does Ichiro lead off with a hit. From there it was a pretty good game. Not the pitching duel that most expected, but entertaining. We did some hanging out with some of the other C-YA people, having at the free food and beer, and watching the out of town scoreboard to see the Phillies Win (YAY), We headed out. Here is a picture of Jordan and I dying in the heat.





Yeah... I am dying more than Jordan. We ended up staying in the Box for the most part after the fourth inning.

As for being the dope. I was scheduled to attend a training this morning. Well, actually I was going to observe others being trained. All was going well, I left on time to get downtown. Found the building with little problem, parked and then asked the desk where the training was... It was at campus.. IN OWINGS MILLS.... Dope

Are You Kidding Me

I am not sure that you all know this, but the Phillies were a great hope in Philadelphia this year. Something else you may not know is they have started the season 1 and 6. That is right, One win, Six losses. Which means they are already five games under .500, five games back of the Braves and once again starting the season out about as bad as you can. The only thing keeping the Phils out of the basement in the NL East is the woeful Washington Nationals, who are currently 300/1 to win the world series.

So here we go again, another season of high hopes and disappointment, but there is something different about this season. Our starting pitchers have put in some gems. We really should have won three or four at this point. It has been the bullpen where the Phils have really come up short. Lets not overlook that after two games this season Ryan Madson, a former starter and jewel of the Phillies farm system, record stood at 0 and 2. He Lost Both Games.

I am still hopeful that Pat Gillick can do something to get some help in the pen. I am hopeful that my desires for a playoff showing are still valid. I am hopeful that I won't have to stop caring about baseball for the season in June as opposed to September.

Dollar Dogs a Plenty!!

I am a born and breed Philadelphia Sports fan, sorry to those of you who are not. This means that I have some interesting, sports related, traits. In order to explain I would like to let you know about the following facts:

1. Our teams have not won a championship since 1983... I was 2, couldn't enjoy it.
2. Our Baseball team was the losing-est franchise of the twenty first century.
   
3. Our Football team has never, ever won the Super Bowl.
4. We did Boo Santa, but we had good reason.
5. We Love Our Sports, Our Teams and Our Players

I honestly believe that Philadelphia is one of the greatest sports town in the world. Our fans are knowledgeable, passionate and just want to win something. With all that passion comes a great deal of tradition. For example, the Eagles have a fight song, played on approriately on mummer style banjos. The baseball mascot is some sort of big green thing, but we love him anyway. We host the Army-Navy Game for crying out loud. But there is one, somewhat unsung, tradition that continues to create great memories for Philadelphians and visitors alike: Dollar Dog Night

Now I know other sports teams run promotions where they sell hot dogs for a dollar, but they are not the same. First for a buck at Camden Yards in Baltimore you get a little flimsy, slightly discolored, semblance of a thing. In Philly we are talking All Beef, Hatfield's Finest franks. These things are big. Not to mention the way the fans take to the dogs. In some parks you will see the number of strikeouts kept track of, or home runs, but how many places do you see competitions on how many dogs can be put down in nine innings.

My friend Matt and his wife Alyssa are headed to Dollar Dog Night on the 28th of May, and let me tell you, those Dogs don't stand a chance.