I’m trying something new, writing while watching the Democratic National Convention. I’m not sure why I’m watching, I dislike political speechifying. I like the way I put it yesterday, It’s pretty much the same thing as a high school pep rally. I don’t need help getting psyched for this election. I’m going to a virtual training session for Harris/Walz volunteers. As I pointed out while watching Obama’s first inauguration, I hate the obligatory “God Bless America” at the end of every speech. I don’t hold it against the speakers, it just reminds me of how far my thinking is from most Americans. But that’s not important, what matters is the Mets.
I went to yet another Met game, my third this week. They once again played the Baltimore Orioles, one of the best teams. They had pretty much run out of pitchers, so this was a bullpen game for them. The Mets had Sean Manaea going for them. He’s been hot; giving up three runs or less in 10 out of his last 11 starts. The Mets had an inferior record but were favored. It was a great game. My favorite Met, their best player Francisco Lindor hit a home run. Later J.D. Martinez drove in a run. After five innings the Mets led 2-0. That was not the story. Manaea had not allowed a baserunner. He was pitching every game and seemed to have the stuff to continue. At this point I decided to take a picture of him delivering a pitch and planned to take a picture every inning he remained perfect.
That was my last picture. After two quick outs je hit a batter. Oh well, nobody’s perfect, it was still a no-hitter. The next batter hit a home run. In one pitch he lost the no-hitter, the shoutout, and the lead. I have seen that happen so many times.
In the bottom of the 7th the Mets’ young stud, Mark Vientos hit his 20th home run putting the Mets back in the lead. That’s the HR Apple popping up after Vientos’s dinger. You can see him on the screen. In the top of the 8th Manaea gave up a hit and was replaced by the usually reliable Jose Butto (boo-toe). The key word was “usually.” Butto proceeded to load the bases with none out. He then turned it on and only allowed one run, but that tied up the game. It remained that way to the bottom of the ninth when Jesse Winker pinch hit for Harrison Bader. Winker is a good hitter, and Met killer, the team acquired at the trade deadline July 31. He has not done well since then. So, what happened? He hit a walk-off home run! You had to hear that crowd roar! You should have heard me roar! This was their second walk-off HR the Met had in three games. I was at both.
When I got home from my walk yesterday my hip hurt. I was careful when I got to the game to take the elevator up. After the game one of the two elevators was broken. I decided to risk walking down. I was fine! No pain whatsoever. The subway ride home was routine. Routine subway rides are anything but routine. I got home in an hour and 20 minutes. It often takes me closer to two hours.
Turns out this is the perfect way to watch the convention. I’m enthusiastically for Kamala Harris. I strongly support all the speakers. I agree with what they are saying, but it’s not telling me anything I didn’t already know. OOO Amanda Gorman is going to talk. She’s a poet. Her speech is a poem. That’s worth listening to. I’m not saying that I want to be president or hold any elected office. I’m saying I’d much rather hear her speak. She wields language the way Da Vinci wielded a brush. Invite her to every Democratic event.
I don’t have enough music on my calendar. I hope I find some more. The Mets are going on the road, my next game is Labor Day. My depression has ebbed of late. Is blogging helping? Am I blogging because I’m feeling better? It’s probably a bit of both.
Wise Madness 