I Was There When...
Watching Yankees-White Sox on TV last night reminded me of my first game at the new Comiskey Park (let's pretend that's still the name). I was spending the summer of 1991 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, home of my alma mater, and on a day off from work, I convinced a buddy to accompany me on the four-hour drive along I-94 West.
Thanks to this phenomenal web site, I can remind myself that the game took place on June 20, 1991. Most notably, it was Ivan Rodriguez's major-league debut, and I can honestly say I remember the scoreboard notating that fact. Pretty cool to have been around for the start of a Hall of Fame career, assuming the accusations from this book never gain credibility.
I also remember that Kevin Brown started that night for the Rangers, although I forgot that Jack McDowell started for the White Sox. The game also featured a current Hall of Famer in Carlton "Pudge" Fisk, who unwittingly bequeathed his nickname to Rodriguez, and three more players (in additon to Rodriguez) who are still active in Julio Franco, Sammy Sosa and Frank Thomas. And, in one of those "I forgot that guy played for that team" moments, an aging Goose Gossage sat in the Rangers bullpen that night, joking around with my friend and me, who were within shouting distance.
I love this part of baseball, recalling your first time at each ballpark. I attended my very first major-league game, Astros-Mets, on June 16, 1977, at Shea Stadium, a couple of weeks into Joe Torre's managerial career (and two days before he retired as a player). The Mets won, 4-3. My first game at Yankee Stadium was July 28, 1978, a 7-5, 10-inning loss to the Twins. Sparky Lyle pitched a remarkable 5 1/3 innings of relief.
Do you remember your first big-league game? Or do you just consider this nostalgic blowhardedness? I'd love to read your memories. Then again, I'd love to win the New York state lottery and retire.
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Comments (8)
Cant recall the exact date, but my first game as a kid was in the early fifties at Ebbets Field with my once beloved Brooklyn Dodgers vs the NY Giants.
ON JUNE 24, 1986, AS A TWELVE YEAR OLD BOY, THE IMPRINT OF FIREBALLER BRYN SMITH OF THE EXPOS OUT-DUELING FAMED METS HURLER BRUCE BERENYI WAS PERMANENTLY BURNED ON MY BRAIN. RETROSHEET HAS REKINDLED THE NIGHTMARE.
AT LEAST STAWBERRY HOMERED AND THE GAME WAS UNDER 3HRS. THANKS DAD.
Also in the '50s, probably '55 -- Ebbets Field -- Giants 10, Dodgers 2. Two homers by Willie Mays. Game over, walked on the warning track to the exit gate in right center field.
Better -- first game at Yankee Stadium in '56. Seats 5 rows back in right field. Two homers by Joe Collins, one in front of us, one three rows behind. My father was in the picture on back page of Daily News unsuccessfully chasing down one of the home run balls.
1963-The first Mayors Trophy Game at Yankee Stadium.Casey Stengel retuns to The Bronx...METS WON! The beginning of the rivalry...
My first game and series: '61 Yankees (my all-time favorite team) lost to "Mudcat" Grant (he pitched a complete game gem) and the Cleveland Indians 5-1. Elston Howard hit a HR, and Tribe 3B Bubba Phillips hit a 3-run HR. The Yankees won the next 3 games of the series (including a sweep of the traditional Sunday double-header), with Mantle (#46), Maris (#49), and Moose Skowron (#21) all hitting HRs. Everyone was following (and cheering) the M&M Boys chasing Babe Ruth's HR record, and many in the stands kept score, including my Dad and myself. Also of note, Whitey Ford pitched 9 2/3 innings (Luis Arroyo got the last out in a 10-inning win), and both Ralph Terry and Rollie Sheldon pitched complete game wins. In fact, there were 5 starting pitchers between the 2 teams in the 4 games who pitched 8 or more innings! Pitchers just do not do that anymore.
My first game was to a Mets game on September 23rd, 1998. It was the last home game of the season and the Mets were in the Wildcard hunt. I went with my younger brother and sister. They lost to the Expos, 3-0. But they had the bases loaded with nobody out, Todd Hundley came in to pinch hit and struck out. The Mets needed to win one game that week to make it to the playoffs and they lost all of their games.
I can't remember the date ... it was around '70-'71 at Shea when I was 10. The thing I remember the most is seeing Hank Aaron hitting a homerun while my Mom was away taking my brother to the bathroom. She wasn't happy about that ... oh, and being able to pick out any souvenir I wanted. I got a Mets charm bracelet, which I still have.
My first Met game was June 23, 1983. I remember little of it since I was four but thanks to retrosheet, it was against the Phillies, who started Kevin Gross.
My first Yankee game was September 23, 1988. I remember a little more details since I was nine. The Yankees lost to the Red Sox 10-9.