Presence

What a Weekend

I haven't been this happy with three games of baseball since the 2004 American League Championship series.

Yiddish for Yankees

For Yankee's updates in Yiddish, call 206-222-4089.

A dying language for a dying team.

Kosher Stand at Camden Yards

In an act that has been described by some as a "selfless sacrifice," I took the kids this afternoon, so Penny could get some Pesach cleaning done. So we went to the O's game. I know, Artscroll material. Anyway...

I was a bit confused when I headed out to left field to get me some kosher food; what had been the kosher stand in previous years was now selling nachos with meat and cheese toppings. I was halfway through my second order (JOKE) when I realized the kosher stand had relocated across the concourse. The new kosher stand now looks just like all the other concession stands, only the line of patrons is about evenly split betweeo folks in yarmulkas, and folks who stare at the menu for about 2 minutes, can't find anything with cheese, and go someplace else.

Along with the new location, the menu has been updated as well; in addition to the old favorites (hot dogs, hot pretzels, relish packets), the kosher stand now sells Italian sausauge (which, in kosher stand terms, means a beef hot dog slightly less red in color than the regular hot dogs), french fries and chicken tenders. They also sell the MinuteMaid Lemonade frezzie things, which are awesome. Oh, they sell beer too, but nothing good. I had the chicken tenders, and they were really good, but I had to wait about ten minutes for them.

As for the game, Boston won, a Yankees fan caught a fly ball and, upon brandishing his jersey, was collectively booed by the crowd. We had seats right behind home plate about 10 rows back, really great seats, the weather was nice (I traditionally have bad luck with April games and end up freezing). All in all, a good way to start the season. And when I came home, the house was clean!

Opening Day Wrapup

I'm back from my whirlwind Opening Day Marathon. Aside from the beating the Sox took, it was a great trip. This was my first time at Yankee Stadium, it's quite a stadium, much different than Camden Yards. It's an entirely different baseball experience. Citizens Bank Park in Philly is also beautiful, but in a completely different way.

I've posted some pictures here. Also, check out this video from redsox.com. The first person is my uncle. I'll let you figure out which one is me. Oh, if only I'd broken out the accent...

Play Ball

Tomorrow begins another season of baseball. I'm going on a baseball road trip. Sunday, it's up to New York to see the Yankees-Red Sox opener (and to see the Red Sox get the pennant). Then on Monday, it's down to Philadelphia to catch the Washington Nationals major league debut. Should be fun!

It's a tad surreal for me this year; the beginning of a new season, for a Red Sox fan, traditionally involved an unshakable yet irrational optimism tempered by a palpable sense of history-induced reality and forboding. This year, it's a bit different. I'm very relaxed, with no expectations. The way baseball is now, with the free-agent system, the likelihood of a Red Sox dynasty is small. I'm just looking forward to enjoying some baseball, and reveling in last season's victory.

In a bit of seredipity, I'm coaching Ezra's little league team, and we're the Red Sox. I'm missing the first two games (this week for Opening Day, although it will probably by rained out, and next week as we'll be in Palo Alto for Shabbos). This year, God must be a Red Sox fan!

It's All Happening

The world as we know it may very well change beyond all recognition tonight. We'll wake up tomorrow, the sun will be shining as it has in the past, but things will never be the same.

I've been somewhat hesitant to discuss my feelings up to this point, but right now it's impossible not to be excited, if not down-right hopeful. It's years of pain and suffering, of defeat after gruesome defeat, finally, finally justified. The last week has been the stuff of miracles, of redepmtion and rebirth. It's beyond belief. But we believe.

Go Red Sox.

Red Sox

If it's gonna happen, I can't think of a better way.

Obviously the time is right to link to last year's post, A Prayer for the Boston Red Sox.

Live from the park

I'm at Camden Yards right now, watching the O's get demolished by the Arizona Diamondbacks (Randy johnson pitching).

I always park at this garage on Eutaw which is now one block up from the Hippodrome. Last year: $5.00. This year : $10.00. Also, they were out of Resurrection.

March Madness Update

With just the Final Four left to go, I moved up to 22nd place in the Junkies Bracket Contest! If Duke beats Connecticut, Oklahoma St. beats Kansas, and then Duke beats Oklahoma St. in the finals, I'll be very happy. Money!

March Madness

Just to prove that it takes zero skill to do well in an NCAA tournament pool, I entered The Junkies free contest. After two rounds, I'm tied for 249th place (I have 46 points, first place is 53 points, so overall, I'm in seventh place). I'm not sure how many people are in the contest, but the rankings go up to 2499th place (I'm sure there's a way to figure this out using math, but you're not getting that from me).

The bottom line: I have no idea what I'm doing. I picked higher seeds over lower seeds unless the seedings were close together, in which case I went with a combination of name-recognition and geographic proximity, with a prejudice towards an upset (hence, I had Maryland going to the fourth round; for some reason, when I hear "Stanford", I think of Google, not basketball). I can potentially garner a total of 86 points, so there's not much chance in me coming out on top, but I think I have a shot at a decent showing. Just goes to show that you can be hurting at college hoops, and still make a money pick.

17-year old wound

When I was a boy, I was wounded. My wound stayed with me for a season or two, but as I grew older, I noticed it less and less. It is funny what a person is capable of convincing themselves. I even began to pretend I had never been wounded at all.

And then last night, in the bottom of the eighth, my wound was ripped open again, the pain as fresh and raw as the first time. Actually, this time, the pain was worse.

I fear my wound will never fully heal.

A Prayer for the Boston Red Sox

Almighty God on High, omnipotent King, look down from Your Sanctified Abode, and bless the valiant players of the Boston Red Sox as they attempt to bring Justice and Glory to the sport of Baseball.

Benevolent God, be their shelter and fortress, and to not allow them to falter. May harmony dwell in their dugouts, victory in their clubhouse. Fill their hearts with faith and courage to thwart the evil schemes of the New York Yankees and to abolish every rule of evil (as you saw fit to do in the case of the Oakland A's).

Protect their runners, let them not be left on base, and destroy their adversaries (as you did to the New York Mets). Guide their pitchers to the strike zone, fast and straight, and let their curve balls break late and low. Let their infielders be swift in chasing down ground balls, and let their be no confusion amongst their outfielders on pop flies.

Grant the fans of the Boston Red Sox true peace in victory. Do it not for us, but for the sanctity and unity of Your name, and for the children who, in 1986, watched as their valiant team was ignobly defeated by the schemes and wiles of the New York Mets (whom You, in your infinite wisdom, did cause to stink as of late). For all the children who suffered ridicule after ridicule at the hands of their friends, but who stood by steadfastedly and had infiinite faith in Your forsaken franchise.

The Yankees are strong and well-financed, but You are stronger and more well-financed. The Yankees have a strong infield and great pitching, but You have the winds of the sky, the lighting and the thunder at your command. The Yankees have Derek Jeter, but maybe you can see he stubs his toe or sprain's an ankle before the series (nothing too serious, of course).

Let all the inhabitants of the world know that Dominion is Yours, and Your name inspires awe upon all that You have created. May this be Your will.

And let us say, Amen.