Tuesday, May 29, 2007

ANOTHER YEAR WITH NOTHIN’ TO DO.

Game 3 of the 1969 World Series. I might have been just old enough to remember this game on tv. Surely, my father watched it.

I asked TBF to record it, even though he is not a big guy for historical games: “I care about what the Mets are doing now,” is his usual response. It is curious because it’s not like he’s ignorant of baseball history or couldn’t tell you the Mets lineup for just about any year you could choose. At least now I recognize the names, not just of the Mets but even some of the Orioles.

I will be honest and say my curiosity wasn’t just about watching the game (although I am incredibly eager to watch a game where Seaver is pitching), it was seeing shea, how it has changed (and not changed). The people in the crowd. Men wearing suits and ties (and hats!) women in dresses. The size and openness of the bullpen. THe open fences at the back of the stadium, which, while following a fly ball, allow you to see the cars in the parking lot. The ushers, wearing bright red uniforms and formal, bus-driver-style hats. The sign guy, putting every lame-o at Shea this year (or any year, likely) to shame (how is it that his signs look so much better in 1969, when everything had to be done by hand, than in 2006, when things can be programmed and printed for pennies?). The scoreboard. The sponsors. The lack of sponsors. The VIP’s in the VIP boxes (former Chief Justice Warren made TBF very happy, although seeing Joe DiMaggio is unquestionably cool).

And yes, the baseball, how it has changed and not changed. How 38 years have gone by and I can still follow and understand the game.

We watched about five innings and then saved it for later. I really do want to watch the whole thing from start to finish, especially to watch Nolan Ryan come out in the 7th inning. And then maybe I can talk to my dad about it the next time I see him.