Sorry for not writing yesterday. On the bright side I something worth writing about, went to my first Met game since 2019. I wanted to get my walk in so instead hopping on the D or 4 train near my house I walked down to Fordham Road and got the D there. I was going to get my donut, but I was a little behind schedule so decided to go straight to the train. I wanted to get to the Park early and explore what’s new. I should have stopped at the Mets Hall of Fame but that’s at the Rotunda, but I went in the Vaxxed only entrance, which is in the Bullpen, the other end of the park. What I really wanted to explore were the new food options. I took a lap around field level to check things out. I had heard about the new Arctic Burger at the Polar Bear Grill or was that the Polar Bear burger at the Arctic Grill. Whichever it is it’s named for the Mets First Baseman Pete Alonso’s nickname, the Polar Bear. It was at the very end of circuit of the park. I did not feel like spending $16 for a burger. I ended up getting hand cut fries with dipping sauce and a hot dog. I probably won’t get food again. I usually bring my own.
This was an extra exciting game; it was Jacob deGrom’s first game back after his injury. It’s special every time deGrom pitches. This might be the first time ever the Mets had the consensus best player at a position. It was only one season but there was Gooden in 1985 and Seaver between 1969 and 1977, but I don’t think there was strong a consensus about Seaver as there is deGrom. Not only is dG the best pitcher in baseball this season he’s the best hitter on the Mets. What did he do yesterday? He gave up one run in five innings, raising his ERA 0.80 and getting a hit. I told Alan that if deGrom got a hit the crowd would start chanting MVP! They did that before he got the hit. After he got it, it became a roar. He’s hitting .471 for the season.
Alan was at the Knick game on Sunday, they allowed 15,000 indoors, they allowed only 10,000 at the outdoor Met game? The question is, who is they? It would be inconsistent of that was the decision by the City or the State but if the teams are making the decisions for themselves there is no reason to expect them to be consistent. I’d have gone to the Knick game if I could, but I would have remained masked the entire time.
I talk more about music, but I have missed sports a tremendous amount too. This was an exciting game; others might lament the lack of offense, but I love a pitchers’ duel. The game can turn at any moment; every pitch of ever at bat is a big one. The Mets have so many injuries that I refer to them as the Syracuse Mets; Syracuse is the location of their top farm club. Last night the only opening day position player starters playing at his opening day position were Lindor at shortstop and Dom Smith in left field. Not only are the regular centerfielder and rightfielder injured but so are their subs. Not only are the subs injured but one of the subs’ subs got hurt. Two of the team’s best three starting pitchers are out, and I said at the start, deGrom just came off the injury list. It’s a miracle the team is in first place. The saving grace is that the other starters have done well and the relief pitching has been brilliant. When deGrom came out after five innings and the gamed tied 1-1 we weren’t waiting for the other shoe to drop. We felt confident in the pitching, the question was could they score. They did! Twice! The Mets won 3-1; there was joy in Mudville. The hero was backup catcher Thomas Nido who has become a good hitter this year why their new free agent catcher James McCann is hitting terribly. Last night McCann played first.
Before the game the Mets had a moment of silence and a small tribute for George Floyd on the anniversary of his murder. I thought they handled it very well, they brought up that it was part of broader social inequality. Good for them. I was afraid some people might object, but I didn’t hear anyone. I’m sure some people were muttering under their breath. I know people that are furious at the attention his murder has drawn and refer to him as a criminal.
I was worried about reaching my three miles yesterday but between my walk to the subway and my perambulation of the stadium I put in 4.61 miles. My weekly average is up to over 4 miles a day and my monthly to 2.92 miles.
I owe you an idiot story. I finished this week’s Gord’s Gold on Thursday last week. I was proud of myself for zipping into one long file to upload on Mixcloud immediately. Not only that but I figured out how to put in the timing of the songs onto the site. It took some work getting the time each song started but I did. You know what I didn’t do? Hit save. I got a message yesterday telling me that. So, I had to upload the cover photo, the song list, and the times again. This time it didn’t take as long. You’ll be able to listen to the show at noon today, which is right after I post this. There’s another idiot story. I got a pair of Bluetooth earbuds. After some initial problems figuring out how to use them I grew to love them. It’s what I use when I’m out of the house. I took them last night and listened to a podcast on the subway. When I came home and wen to recharge them I couldn’t find the recharging cord. I knew exactly where they were when I left. I’m afraid that I accidentally through them out when I got home and took the garbage out. I’m hoping that the cats did something with them, and I’ll find them.
OK, time to make breakfast. That reminds me of something smart I did yesterday. I knew that today was going to be hot, so I made cold brew. I’ll have that with my breakfast. I even remembered to put ice cube trays in the fully packed freezer. That took some creative rearranging. Now to enjoy the fruits of my labor. It’s time for you to follow this link and go to Gord’s Gold.
Wise Madness 