Today is a day that used to literally bring profound sadness to me. It's the last day of the regular season for Major League Baseball. As I contemplated why I wasn't as distraught as I usually would be, I came to a startling realization. This year, for the first time in at least a decade, I did not attend a single game. Not one.
The reasons for this are many. The one that I'll recite if asked is that I simply choose to spend my money elsewhere. Going to a game clearly costs about as much as two concerts by the time all is said and done. However, if I'm being completely honest with myself, I have to admit that going to a game in New York isn't exactly the easiest endeavor.
When I lived in Atlanta, getting Turner Field really couldn't have been much easier. Only about a mile away, it didn't even require that I get on a interstate to get there. When I lived in Michigan, getting to Tiger Stadium was a bit tougher. However, I really would have walked over hot coals to get there. Here, however, it's more than somewhat tricky. Most people take the 4 train right to the Stadium. The station, however, isn't crip friendly so I'm forced to drive. If I leave SEVERAL hours early it isn't a problem. Heck, I even get there early enough to go through Monument Park. However, if I try to get there less than two hours before game time I might as well forget it. The Deegan is a parking lot, the roads around the Stadium itself become a nightmare. When the Tigers were in town for their one visit (a rant for another time) earlier this month I didn't even bother.
The trek to Shea is much, much easier. It's about a 35 minute drive without traffic. It is, however, still Shea. To call Shea a dump is an insult to landfills across our vast nation. It has no personality. None.
This year I followed the game as closely as ever. I still could tell you much more about the game than you would ever care to know. I still watch more games than I should on television. I just couldn't muster the willpower to actually go sit among the masses. Sad, really. Sad.
Posted by mikewolf at September 28, 2003 09:26 AMDo you have a minor league team around there? We have a frontier league team and the games are pretty good. The GA tickets are all of $4 or you can purchase a box seat for $6 or if you go on Sunday you get 4 GA tickets, 4 pops, 4 chips and 4 hot dogs for $24. We were going to to go a Tigers game this year but when I started adding up ticket prices, parking, and drive time, it was just too much. It is a lot of fun, the promotions people do a great job making sure that every one has a good time.
I know that they are not major league but there were times this year that I wonder if our little team could have beat the Tigers.
The Yankees are minor league this year!
Posted by: deano on September 29, 2003 06:53 PMI didn't make it to a game this year, either. Since nobody actually goes to Braves games, I could have easily made it to an NLDS game (to cheer on my cubbies, of course), but Cory has to work, and I don't have any friends that would go with me. I actually considered making the trip to Atlanta on a Wednesday night all by myself. Of course, now, the game is sold out (rock on, cubs fans!!!). If the Braves make it past the Cubs, then MLB might give me credentials for the NLCS, but I'm not holding my breath. Go CUBS!!!
Posted by: K.Britt on October 1, 2003 12:47 AM