I can’t believe I had to wait until Sunday to see another win. Oh, I mean… I totally CAN believe it. Writing about my fabulous Friday afternoon after a miserable loss just seemed wrong. If they didn’t win yesterday this post may have never happened. I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing, yet.
I arrived at work on Friday morning wanting to tell everyone that I was going to the game that afternoon. Yet, at the same time I was still a little worried I may not even get into the stadium after purchasing tickets on ebay. Really what is preventing anyone from selling the same e-ticket over and over? Eventually I couldn’t hold it in. Possibly the best part of the day were the Yankee fans groveling. It was sad really. haha
Noon came and my day in the office was over. I changed my clothes, fixed my pig tails, grabbed my cohort and we were off to the Bronx for my final game at Yankee Stadium (and only my third). We arrived about 1:30ish and found our seats, no thanks to an usher mind you. I only saw one usher the whole day. I usually avoid ushers at Shea but in an unfamiliar stadium it would have been helpful. Then we went off for food and returned to our someone else’s seats but not before being harassed by the concession stand guy for being a Mets fan. It was all in good fun though. Upon our return we ended up one section closer to home plate in seats that belonged to a large group of the FDNY. This worked out great. A good half of them didn’t show up until the fourth inning which is why we never realized we were in the wrong section. Until then we had so much space around us which was nice on a day where the air felt suffocating. Thanks to being in the middle of a bunch drunken firemen most of the taunts we all in good fun amongst friends.
There was a group of Yankee fans in a section behind us who decided it would be a good idea to boo every Mets fan who walked by for the first few innings. Mostly the reaction of Mets fans was to raise their hands and give them their biggest smile. In fact I didn’t notice on Mets fan talk back to them. My favorite moment during all of this happened when a fellow Mets fan walked by holding two pretzels. He was booed. He raised his pretzels and a Yanks fan shouted “Go Eat A Pretzel!!” That was a gem if I ever heard one. All this nonsense stopped when the Mets took the lead in the fifth inning and never gave it back.
Most of the Yankee fans were pretty quiet that is until Aaron Heilman was seen warming up in the Mets bullpen. Aa-ron Heil-man chants began. When Aaron trotted out of the bullpen a Mets fan in front of me turned around and asked if I was worried. I said no. I wasn’t. The inning was over after 4 batters.
The sixth inning, bases loaded, two outs and Delgado’s up. I thought the inning was over. We don’t hit grand slams anymore and Delgado does nothing if not hit a SOLO home run. I absolutely could not believe hit hit a grand slam. I’m still somewhat stunned by the event. It was beautiful though. If this team is going to wait nearly two years to hit a grand slam it might as well be against the Yankees in their home. You have to admit that when the Mets do the unexpected it’s usually rather poetic. It may have been nicer against the Phillies but I’ll take this.
The game ended and more than half the population of the stadium was long gone. I had to head towards Gate 4 to smoosh pennies at the Yankees team store. This also happens to be where the team buses are. Who knew? (Well, probably everyone but me.) I saw Omar and caught a glimpse of Jerry. I saw players but I couldn’t make anyone out. I then smooshed my pennies and got on the D train to head home. Heading home means riding on the LIRR past Shea Stadium. Do you have any idea how hard it was to stay on the train when it stopped at Shea after being at that afternoon game? Part of me is thankful I didn’t get off. Part of me thinks that the Mets needed me there.
In case you’re keeping score, I am currently 4-0 with a rain out seeing my Metsies this year. Someone should really consider buying me tickets to some games.
More photos from the afternoon can be found here.
