I am very disappointed I am writing this. I was supposed to be on my way to meet Genevieve for a day of Coney Island adventure, but she got caught in standstill traffic. We’ll see if we can recover some of the day. Update, we can’t. We’ll have to reschedule. I know what you are thinking. “Right, this is like when a woman says, ‘I have to wash my hair.'” Stop thinking that. As hard as it is to believe some people actually like me. I don’t know why but they do.
Now I get to tell you about yesterday’s Coney Island adventure. Sometimes things work out like that. Weeks ago, Seth asked who wanted to go to a Cyclones game with him. I jumped in and said yes so, I made the trek from the North Bronx to the southern tip of Brooklyn. It’s almost the trip the Warriors made in the movie. The beauty is that it’s all one train, the Entire length of the D line. I get on at what is usually the second station but the first is closed for construction on the weekend. It took about an hour and three quarters. I arrived right when I was scheduled to. Seth came a few minutes later. We then waited for Seth’s friend Paul and his friend Chelsea. Proving that I remember names and mocking myself when I don’t, helps me remember names. I am far better now than when I was young. As soon as we walked in Seth said hi to his friend Daniel that works a concession stand. He knows Daniel from going to games. That’s why Seth is my friend, he befriends the people that most others ignore. I don’t mean that I’m usually ignored; I’m saying that’s an admirable trait. I’m far to loud to be routinely ignored. To anyone that mentally added, “and far too good looking;” bless you.
The Cyclones were playing the hated Williamsport Crosscutters. What makes them hated? They were playing our beloved Cyclones. The only reason I’m a Met fan is because they have a lot of former Cyclones on the team.
I love minor league baseball. We sat close to the action. The game was played where the blue sky meets the green grass. There’s a delightful tackiness to everything. There’s a view of Coney Island rides and the Parachute Jump. The food is cheaper than at Citi Field, the tickets are much cheaper.
I ran into people I know, Ira and his son Sam. They are in my fantasy baseball league. Sam and I talked trade. We couldn’t work anything out. I just loved that we ran into each other. The park is small enough to make that more likely than at a Major League Stadium.
Seth, his friends, and I had great conversations. Seth has a great interest in both New York and baseball history. He works at the Museum of the City of New York. I need to go there; I haven’t been in ages. We can have obscure conversations without having to explain everything. One problem, Seth and I might no longer be friends, I am not overly fond of A League of Their Own. I don’t dislike it but not one of the greats. The other day I ranked premium ice cream; today I’ll rank baseball movies.
The Natural – The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings- Bull Durham
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Pride of the Yankees –
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Damn Yankees
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Eight Men Out
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It Happens Every Spring
I have issues with Field of Dreams, for this list what matters is that it doesn’t feel like a baseball move to me. The entire point of the movie is that Kevin Costner’s character finds out at the end that it’s not about baseball. It says something about my tastes that three of the films are fantasies, one is about the minor leagues, and one is about the Negro Leagues. Only two are about real major league baseball. I need to see Fear Strikes Out again. I haven’t seen it since I was a kid and was too young to appreciate it. I also need to see Moneyball. They might both belong on the list.
The game was very long, and Seth and I left early. I was starved. The Cyclones were winning 5–2 when we left. The final score was 6–2. Who knows where we ate? You should all have your hands up. The one and only original Nathan’s which is different from all other Nathans. I had what I always have, two hot dogs and fries. It sounds pedestrian but it’s not If you haven’t had Nathan’s at Coney Island you have never tasted what I ordered. They are called hot dogs and they are called fries, but they are unlike the hot dogs and fries you get anywhere else. It’s the difference between Pizza Hut and real New York pizza.
I ordered something else from Amazon. I learned from my experience. I had it delivered to an Amazon locker. It’s a short subway ride from here. It’s not as convenient as having it delivered to my door but it’s more convenient than not having it delivered at all.
I did something I haven’t done since I had to leave my room in Crown Heights, I made cold brew coffee. At least I’m in the process of brewing it. I will drink it tomorrow. I should buy ice cream today, so I can make ice creamed coffee. I wasn’t thrilled with the ice cream but the one praise I have for Van Leeuwen is that they serve what they call coffee floats. Ice creamed coffee is a much better name. Today will be about Amazon, shopping, and maybe doing laundry. Not as much fun as Coney Island with Gen but it will have to do.
Wise Madness 