What a day!

It’s Sunday morning–usually a pretty crazy affair, especially when I’m leading worship @ my church. Sickness causes considerably more craziness. Nate came down with a summer cold late last week and isn’t sleeping too well. That means, you guessed it, everybody’s tired. I prayed a prayer of desperation as Sam and I headed out the door for early morning worship practice (the rest of the family was staying home), “help!”

What a morning! Practice went off without a hitch and worship was amazing (the Ballston worship team is the greatest!). We were doing the song “Everything” by Tim Hughes–powerful! During the sermon, as I was reflecting on the favor of God, I got a text message (sorry Pastor Mark). It was from a former Chi Alphan who had 2 extra tickets to that afternoon’s Nationals game. Can you say quality time? Sam and I made a quick change @ home after church and headed for the ballpark.

We had great seats! Right on the first base line…and in direct sunlight. It was hot! At one point Sam was lying on the ground between the seats trying to find shade. “Daddy, I’m really, really thirsty and really, really sweaty!” But despite the conditions (don’t call child protective services, the clouds gave us shade through most of the game) we persevered for 12 innings of baseball. Man, were we rewarded! Nationals’ second baseman, Ronnie Belliard (batting a dismal .210) hit a walk-off home run to end the game! And to top it off, Sam got a chance to run the bases (after braving a phalanx of mascots). Below are a bunch of photos from our incredible day. The moral of the story? I guess a bad start doesn’t determine the outcome of your day…and prayers are powerful things.

What do you think of the mascots Sam?

Sam, I think all the mascots are sick in bed!

The view from our seats...not bad except for the blazing sun.

The cloud rolls in and with them comes relief...ahhhh.

I'm sweaty and thirsty.

Sam and our seat benefactor Steve.

Dad made me sit out here in the hot sun--for 12 innings!

Just wait...I'll show him!

Celebration after the walk-off home run.

Sam you just saw an incredible game!

Walking through the tunnel to the field

Sam, you're about to run the bases, how do you feel?

Just in case you were wondering what the warning track looks like.

The scoreboard from field level

"Come," the extremely large-headed George Washington beckons--freaky!

Sam makes it home with George hot on his heels.

Safe in front of the visitors dugout.

The smile returns!

Lou Gehrig gets a little support.

The Metro...all part of the fun!

whee!

No hands!

Can we do this again tomorrow?

 

Things are already looking up!

There’s a lot to write about today!  ESPN is reporting a reliable source has just revealed that Joe Girardi has been offered the job as Yankees manager for next season.  Let me just add that the Yankees couldn’t have made a better choice.  He’s got a great career with the organization as a player with 3 World Series rings and on the coaching staff as a the bench coach under Torre.  He’s also proven himself as a manager in 2006 turning the Marlins into a winner and landing the NL manager of the year award.

It’s with sadness that we close the book on one Joe era.  Mr. Torre you’re the best.  The Yankees should have treated you with more class.  I have to admit though, as we open the book on the new Joe era, I’m feeling the refreshing winds of change.  The Yankees essentially have new owners (George has passed the baton to his kids), a great group of young and talented players, a new ballpark in coming in 2009, a ton of cash thanks to A-Rod’s departure, and a new manager to lead them into a promising future.  Welcome, Joe Girardi.  We already know you look good in pinstripes and I think the team’s going to look good with you in the lead.

 

This town’s not big enough for the both of us…

So have you heard the big baseball news?  No, not the Red Sox sweeping the Rockies out of the World Series.  It’s the report that Alex Rodriguez has opted out of the largest contract in baseball history essentially saying to the rest of the Yankee team, “This town’s not big enough for the both of us.”

Buster Olney, sports columnist and author of the book, The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty, put out an article this morning that puts things into perspective.  An excellent read, but the last line says it all.

“Somebody will buy into A-Rod, of course. He’s an extraordinary player. The cost will be hundreds of millions, and the heart and soul, of his next franchise.”

With A-Rod gone, we lose his 54 homeruns and 156 RBI, but we may just get our team back.  Here’s to next year and the building of a new Yankee dynasty.  The first spring training game of 2008 is February 27th.  That’s only 121 days away.

 

Unexpected Surprise

I spent the last week in Nyack, NY for a Chi Alpha Northeast Regional Staff Conference. While I was excited to get some great information and spend time with friends, I was a little disappointed. I was only 20 minutes from Yankees Stadium and it looked like I wouldn’t be able to see a game. I got a pleasant surprise on Sunday afternoon.

We had the afternoon off and a group decided to go into the city and look around. We really didn’t have a destination and while we were discussing where we wanted to end up, we passed Yankee Stadium. As we observed a moment of silence, we read a billboard that said, “Angels today 1:05 pm.” My good friend Joel said, “Let’s go see a game.” I didn’t argue. We got the $20 cheap seats, only 1 row away from the top, but they weren’t that bad. We had the shade from the uppper deck roof, a great breeze, and we were watching the Yankees! The only thing that would have made the day perfect is if they pulled off a win, but those have been a little difficult for the Yankees to produce this year. At least they made things interesting. The stadium was rocking in the 9th inning when Jeter had a chance to win the game with a hit. After about 15 pitches he finally sent a ball into the outfield. Unfortunately, it ended up in the center fielder’s mitt. Even still, I could ask for a better afternoon. Thanks guys!

 

Say it isn’t so Joe

Those of you who know me well (all of you who read this blog) know I’m in pain. No, I haven’t fallen down a flight of stairs. I don’t even have a paper cut. It’s my heart that hurts.

My team, the New York Yankees, were eliminated from the playoffs yesterday. The Detroit Tigers, one of last year’s worst and a team that was just swept by the Kansas City Royals (this year’s worst) dispatched the Yankees 3 games to 1. What made it more humiliating was the way the Yankees played. The most expensive team in the history of the game couldn’t buy a hit! They fell apart in a way I haven’t seen since they lost 4 games to the Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS.

I thought this was the year. This was the season I was going to introduce my sons to the thrill of being a fan of the World Series Champion. Instead, we’ve got to wait until next year. I’m beginning to understand a little of what it is like to be a Cubs or a Red Sox fan.

It’s going to be a long winter this year. I’ll be counting down the days until the pitchers and catcher report for spring training. That’s approximately 132 days away.