On the BBC website, “Audio slideshow: ‘Swinging Away’”
The MCC Museum at Lord’s is trying to dispel a few myths, and reveal some surprising connections, in a new exhibition that looks at the shared history of cricket and baseball.
The Curator of Collections, Adam Chadwick, took reporter Andrew Hosken on a trip back in time.
Considering how much consternation that Manny, Dodger fans, and Dodger Stadium are causing Bill Plaschke, he might be better off just skipping the games. For both his sanity and ours.
The stuff he writes when he does attend has so little to do with what’s going on down on the field that there’s really no point in him being there. (Unless it’s for the free press box Dodger Dogs.) If he insists on “covering” the team, he might well just stay home.
Yesterday, we headed out to the Inland Empire 66ers ballpark for Manny Ramirez’s San Bernardino debut. It wound up being an awesomely surreal party atmosphere.
The first thing we noticed after getting parked was a more pronounced police presence than usual.
There were also cops and security personnel cruising around the stadium. But that’s to be expected when you get a world-famous athlete playing in your park. We didn’t see anything untoward going on, apart from one fight in the 4th inning that was quickly squelched, so it seemed to be working.
It was noticeably more crowded getting around the entrance and food vendor areas, although I’ve seen it similarly crowded on big promotion nights or holidays.
While waiting in line for our first Dodger Dog and local Hangar 24 beer, we caught a couple readying themselves for the game with a final dreadlocks adjustment.
There were a ton of the Manny dreadlocks wigs being worn, including by Bernie, the 66ers’ mascot (see below).
Once we got seated, this gentleman was good enough to stand in front and remind us of why we were all there. ;)
A crowd was standing at the third-base-side railing trying to strain for a view into the dugout. When Manny made his first appearance, running onto the fields for warmups, he also got the first of several ovations of the night. Somebody even broke out a beach ball for the occasion, just like at Dodger Stadium. :)
Partway through warmups, Manny jogged over to the railing and signed autographs in the middle of this mob.
Big cheers for Manny’s introduction and him running on the field. No boos were heard anywhere near us. A few were reserved for San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris, who threw out the first pitch. ;)
Much like a pro soccer game, the players were accompanied onto the field by kids. Here’s Manny with a couple of children and 66ers mascot Bernie.
Bernie also engaged in a bit of pre-game meditation on the third-base line.
I’m a sucker for mascots, especially talented ones. Bernie has some great routines, and the kids adore him. Here he is rocking the dreadlocks and the cowbell.
In Manny’s first at-bat, batting leadoff, he drew a walk from the understandably nervous Rancho Cucamonga Quakes pitcher, Alex Torres. The starter settled down, later striking Manny out twice.
After the walk, Manny went from first to third on a double by DH Elian Herrera, but was stranded there.
Winner for best headgear of the night was this fellow, with a Dodger cap atop his sombrero.
Manny had a pretty good average thanks to the home run the night before. Kind of surreal seeing his name out there on the old scoreboard.
Shouts of “Manny!” and “I love you, Manny!” and “Hey, Manuelito!” as he came off the field. Cellphone cameras filled up with pictures.
Preston Mattingly, son of Dodger pitching coach Don Mattingly, pinch-hit for Manny in the 6th inning, then stayed in at LF for the 7th and the rest of the game — which, by the way, the 66ers won, 4-1, after a great eight innings by starter Timothy Sexton.
Manny’s name at the top of the lineup board. All of those guys will have quite a story to tell, no matter how far they go in their baseball careers. I wonder who will be making it to the bigs someday.
Here’s the starting lineup transcribed (see box score):
I imagine writing that name on the board must have been fun. :)
Lastly is this sign located just outside the entrance, with mileage to the various Dodger facilities around the US and Caribbean. If only we knew what units the distance to Albuquerque were in! ;)
A few other articles and related whatnot about the night:
The 66ers sent out a press release this afternoon about the potentially Manny-infused homestand beginning Sunday. They’ve made some adjustments to the parking lot and gate opening times.
Keep in mind:
The 66ers would also like to remind fans that the media reports concerning Manny Ramirez’s rehab appearance with the 66ers has not been confirmed by the Dodgers as of Friday morning. Major League players’ rehab schedules are subject to change, so the team cannot confirm or guarantee that Ramirez will be playing on those days. Both Sunday and Monday games are currently SOLD OUT, however the 66ers have created special ticket options for the two games. Tickets for Tuesday’s 11 a.m. game are still available.
They have a new $25 BBQ Picnic Ticket option:
The BBQ Picnic Tickets include an all-you-can-eat food buffet of hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, baked beans, potato salad, chips and cookies. Soda and water are also available at the buffet. The tickets will include a wristband for admission to the 1st base patio area for the buffet, which will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday and 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday. The seating area for the BBQ Picnic Tickets is in the 1st base patio area, and there are no assigned seats in this area. These tickets must be purchased in advance at the 66ers box office while they are still available.
Fans will receive one (1) wristband per ticket purchased, and fans must have their bracelet to enter the patio area. There will be a $25 replacement fee for all lost wristbands. The 66ers encourage fans purchasing BBQ Picnic Tickets to give themselves extra time getting to the stadium, parking and getting into the ballpark. Long lines and large crowds are expected for both games, so please plan accordingly.
No guarantees of course, but these are potentially tickets for the first 66ers home game featuring Manny Ramirez.
There was a steady stream of ticket buyers coming up to the windows at Arrowhead Credit Union Stadium in downtown San Bernardino this morning when I stopped by. I poked my head in to the office and confirmed with a front desk person that there had been a swing upwards in ticket sales this morning.
I’m guessing tickets will still be available until there is more confirmation about dates, but of course at this point there’s no telling for sure.
If this does turn out to be a Manny-splendored game, I’ll naturally be posting pictures and audio afterwards — during, if I can get it worked out.
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