Fan Cave Dream 2.0

It would be pretty cliché as a die hard Yankees fan to say, “the MLB star I most want to meet is Derek Jeter.” Cliché and true; because the honest truth is I would wash Jeter’s car(s) to spend time with the greatest player of my generation. To meet the man who is the symbol of the team and game I love so much, and to have the opportunity to tell him what he means to the game of baseball and to all the fans out there; would be the chance of lifetime. However, I would bet the spring training bat that was given to me by a grounds keeper at Steinbrenner Field, that every Yankees fan will submit any one of the following 500 word video idea. Jeter and said fan taking batting practice, playing catch, or trying to be the second man in the classic 6-4-3 double play which Jeter, Cano and Teixeira have perfected over the last few years.

Not me.

I’m going to be the rookie looking to make myself a household name. The rookie who’s sitting on a 3-2 count, 2 outs in the bottom of the 9^th and I’m going to swing for the fences. With that one swing the hopes of ending up on the front page and not on the bus back to Scranton go with it.

The MLB star I would most like to meet…the Phillies Phanatic.

I know, I should probably turn in my pinstripes now. But hear me out. Green is king. Kermit, the Grinch, Oscar the Grouch…ok, not the best examples. The Phillies brought in Lee at the start of 2011. They grabbed Pence mid season from the Texas heat. But the Phantaic, he’s the star and the face of the team. I understand the confusion. Here is fan of one of the greatest teams in all of sports, and she wants to meet a mascot? But with all due respect to Derek Jeter, The Phanatic has already made it to Cooperstown; Jeter will be there soon. But credit where credit is due…so to spend the day with the Phanatic at Citizen’s Bank, learning the ins and outs of shooting hot dogs into the stands and getting to sit in the best seats (on top of the dugout!), how can you go wrong? Don’t forget the chance to hear what really happened between the Phanatic and Lasorda during that fateful 1988 game…. priceless.

I admit my choice in MLB star I’d like to meet may seem questionable. But three major storylines of the 2012 season are not; the Chicago Cubs, the newly minted Miami Marlins, and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim looking to win the AL West.

After failing to hold on to the lightning in a bottle of 2004 and 2008 seasons and some big money trades at the start of the 2011 season. Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox ended their nine-year relationship. From Bean Town to the Windy City, Epstein went. The same way Lee headed north in 2010 to bring home a ring, so too does Epstein look to bring a ring to the long-suffering Cubbies.  Epstein’s arrival means one thing and one thing alone the Cubs want a ring and they want it soon. 2012 will not being their year, but if MLB’s wonder kid was able to break the Bambino’s curse he’s the only one with any chance of doing the same for the Cubs. Chicago’s best bet to make the play-offs wears loafers, not cleats.

Bienvenido Miami! A city known for its beaches, nightlife and humidity, just got a little hotter. The Miami Marlins signed everyone short of LeBron James during the offseason. New stadium, new name, new uniforms, new manager, and new a image. The Marlins in 2012 mean business. Lucky for them and their new manager Ozzie Guillen their business isn’t communication, its baseball. Thanks to a busy and productive off-season that brought in Jose Reyes and Heath Bell. The Marlins are going to be counting on their bats to be muy caliente’. With a line up featuring Reyes, LoMo, Superman Stranton, Raimerz, and Sanchez. Followers of Ozzie on twitter can look forward to more positive rants then they’re used to. The Miami Marlins look to bring the heat, without the help of King James.

Refusing to bet the farm on a monkey, the Angels swooped in and added not one big name, but one big name and one BIG name this winter; C.J. and Al. Mr. Race Car has one job alone, and that is to be the lead car of the Angles pitching staff. The lead car sets the pace at the start of every race, and is the car the others follow when there is a caution on the track. C.J.’s job couldn’t be easier, with one the best pitching staffs in the AL West and one of the greatest hitters to ever play. The Angels should fly right into the postseason; there is no team that can stand toe to toe with them; except the Texas Rangers. The Rangers like the Mounties always get their man. That man is Yu. The road to a ring for LAA will go through Arlington, but if any team has a chance to it’s the Angels with Wilson leading the pack all the way.

My Major Love of the Minors

Settled into my seat, three rows behind home plate with a beer and a hotdog and I am ready to take in the game. I could not tell you what the score was or who won or any details of my first San Antonio Missions game in 2010. But what I can tell you is that it was a great time. I love baseball...LOVE. I am and will always be a New York Yankees fan. Nothing will change that. Nothing will change my love for the game either. 

After the final out of the 2010 ALCS all my attention, along with the rest of Yankees Universe, was focused on what changes Brian Cashman would make for the New York Yankees. When the story broke in early December, that the San Diego Padres would be trading Adrian Gonzales to the Boston Red Sox for Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo, Reymond Fuentes, and a player to be named later, I was intrigued. Seeing that our arch rivals, the Boston Red Sox, were trading away four of their top prospects in exchange for one player, and the fact the it was likely one if not all of the four players may spend some time in San Antonio, I wanted to know more. 

I began to follow the San Diego Padres player transactions and acquisitions. When the San Antonio Missions kicked off their 2011 season, in early April I was ready for baseball in the Alamo City.

The Missions have yet to disappoint. The team tops the Texas league in hitting, thanks to James Darnell (.377). Brad Brach is the Texas League leader in saves with 13. Casey Kelly (ERA 3.83) has an arm on him that is sure to guarantee his stay in San Antonio will not be a long one. Kyle Blanks (.301) is hitting with such power and ease that it is a joke that he is not with the San Diego Padres right now. Maybe when the scouts check box scores from the last few games and see Blanks amazing hitting performance on Saturday to help the Missions win in extra innings, with a walk off grand slam. The Missions' catcher Ali Solis (.317) has a hot bat and had defense skills behind the plate that are beginning to rival the fabled Molina brothers. With Blake Tekotte's call up just hours after a strong hitting performance in Sunday's game, the Missions are proving to be the team to beat in the Texas League.

There in lies the triumph and the tragedy of becoming invested in a minor league team. One of the coolest things for a true, passionate fan like myself is that when you go to Wolff Stadium to see the Missions, the intimacy of the park is like nothing in the Majors. With first row ticket prices maxing out at $10.50 I can sit behind home plate, without having to take out a loan, which is what would be required if I wanted to sit right behind home at my beloved Yankees Stadium. The tragedy of Minor League baseball is that the players are playing their hearts out, so they can get that call, "You're ready for the big Show"; and most games the seats are empty. I am sure that Cody Decker (11 HR) or Sawyer Carroll (OPS .819) are not too concerned with playing the game they love to more empty seats then full ones. But even so it's a disservice to the players. Minor League teams have a hard time getting butts in seats because there is not always a "big name player" on the field. Unless a Josh Hamilton, Francisco Cervelli, or Stephen Strasburg are rehabbing, you will not see a Major Leaguer at the game. 

If you believe that, then you would be wrong.  Every single player on the field is a major leaguer. Orel Hershiser, Fernando Valenzuela, Joe Morgan, Mike Piazza, Paul Konerko, Pedro Martinez, Felix Hernandez, played on Minor League teams. Not just any Minor League team either; they ALL played for the San Antonio Missions in their careers. 

When you come to a San Antonio Missions game you may not be able to rattle off each player's number, ERA, OPS, yet. But when they get “The Call” you can say, "Hey I saw that kid pitch when he was in double - A. I told ya'll he would be a Hall of Famer." 

You know what, you'd be right. 

I hope Heaven has WiFi

Dear Dad,

It's Friday April 8, 2011 around 1030a. This time two years ago I was heading to LAX wearing the shirt I had slept in, jeans I found on the floor, and suitcase that had one black heel and the black dress I would wear to your funeral five days later.

 I slept with my phone off that night and so I woke up to see several missed calls, a few texts messages and at least two voicemails from mom. Figuring that clearly something had happened, I got up, brushed my teeth, turned on my TV and was about to call mom back when she called again. When I picked up the phone Mom said the four words that changed my life and flipped everything I thought I knew about the world upside down.

Your father is dead.

To protect my families privacy, I won't discuss further details.

So less than an hour later I found myself in my best friends car racing to LAX on a Wednesday morning, so I could catch a plane that was leaving in less than an hour. No question you were already with me, Daddy, because anyone who has ever left from LAX knows, you need a good five hours before your flight even leaves to be sure you'll make it.

I went from my apartment to my gate in under 90 minutes.

That was April 8, 2009.

Today I sit in my apartment, no longer living in Los Angeles, with my three legged dog, writing a blog that mostly strangers will read, in an exercise in healing.

I hope you can read this where you are now, Dad. I wanted to let you know that I'm doing alright. Mom is doing good. Bronx (my dog) has helped bring me back to life and helped me to learn to open my heart again. I know, I have a dog! You would love him. Actually he would LOVE you. I don't there was ever an animal that wasn't drawn to you and your spirit. In caring for Bronx I've learned the challenges of being responsible for another life. In "raising" Bronx, I reminded every day of how you and Mom were the BEST parents. I never wanted for anything growing up, and not just "things". I was truly blessed to know that I meant everything to both you and Mom. I was your world. With your passing I realized you both are mine.

I was surprised (and still am) how I can literally feel that part of me is gone. But I've learned that the physical is gone. But you are around everywhere.

I spoke at your funeral. I talked about you talking me to Yankees games, how my passion for theatre is a direct result of your passion for theatre and music. But the think that was most important for me to share with everyone there was, that I would be ok.

I had planned to call you Wednesday morning. I don't think I'd talk to you in a week or so. For the first few hours that really bothered me. I didn't get the chance to say goodbye, I didn't tell Dad I loved him one last time and on and on. Then I realized I could release myself from that bondage. I knew, with every fiber of my being that you loved me and more importantly for me, I knew you knew that I loved you so much. That thought still brings tears, but they are tears of comfort. I know I'm "lucky". I don't have guilt that I didn't get to say everything I needed to. You and Mom raised me in a house of Love. There was NEVER any doubt that I knew my parents loved me and supported me in anything I ever wanted to do. That is what I wanted to share at your service. That you lived your life in Love.

I hope you're having fun up there. I know you had the best seats in the house to catch our Yankees win in 2009. So far we're looking good in 2011, but I don't have to tell you that. I wanted to get to Boston to see our Yankees play the BoSox this weekend, but plane tickets are no joke! So I settled on going to see the Astros tomorrow. I have great seats, but I know no matter what you will forever have the best seats in the house.

I love you, Daddy.

CCL 1951-2009