Subway Series

New York Mets v New York Yankees, October 28, 2000

Yankee Stadium, Section U28 Row L, *GAME 6

This is what Yankee Stadium looked like the day I had tickets for World Series Game 6. Empty.

The premise of the web site is I have a box of ticket stubs stuffed in a closet, hidden for decades. The box tells a story through each ticket stub.

These tickets are in the box. But the game never happened. The Yanks won the series in 5 games.
We huddled around the tube on a Thursday hoping for a Mets win to force a Game 6 so we could go. Didn't happen.

But I still have the ticket stubs.

*if necessary

Joe-less Niners

San Francisco 49ers v Philadelphia Eagles, October 27, 1991

Veterans Stadium, Section 701 Row 8

The infamous 700 Level at The Vet. Everyone has stories of drunken debauchery in the stands. The stories were always bigger then real life.

Steve Young is not a bad backup to have to watch while Joe Montana was sidelined. Young didn't take long in hooking up with John Taylor on a 22 yard pass for the first score of the game in the 1st quarter. The Eagles QB Jim McMahon connected with 19 yard pass to Keith Byars in the 2nd to tie the game at 7. Still in the first half Tom Rathman poked in a 2 yard run to put the vistors ahead 14-7 at the half.

In the 2 half San Francisco's Mike Cofer put on a kicking clinic with FGs from 45, 25 and 50.

Outside of Steve Young's one touchdown pass he had a rather unstellar day with 10 for 15 for 96 yards. Jim McMahon threw for 222 yards in the losing cause.

The 49ers beat the Eagles 23-7.

Ollie The Goalie

Hampton Roads Admirals v Richmond Renegades, October 27, 1990

Richmond Coliseum, Section 28L Row N

This was the first year of the ECHL Richmond Renegades. Down I-64 the Hampton Admirals began the year before with minor league legend John Brophy as their head coach.

The Admirals had a goalie by the name of Olaf Kolzig on the roster that year.

Richmond was (and still is) not a hockey hotbed of a town. In the early 70's they were home to the AHL Richmond Robins (Philadelphia Flyers minor league team). In the early 80's after the Robins left for Maine a lower level team by the name of the Richmond Rifles moved in for 2 seasons.

The new Renegades seemed to generate some excitement as the building was a sell out. Orange rally towels were given out. Between periods a local car dealer had a promo. Shot a puck from center ice into a hole cut into plywood and win a Mustang convertible. I found out years later the car dealer never took contest insurance out his promotions at sporting events.

A lucky fan was called to the ice. He was introduced and asked if he ever played hockey. To the shock of the crowd, Bubba never played hockey before. He was handed a stick and explained the single rule. He seemed to glance at stick wondering which end of the stick to shot the puck with.
He pushed the puck across the ice from center ice and this thing eeked along with laser percision right through the hole not much bigger then that puck.

The place went nuts. The Mustang was driven out onto the ice. Bubba climbed onto the back of the back seat for a victory lap in his new car as the entire crowd waved their orange rally towels.

Bet he couldn't do that again in a million years.

ACC Matchup

Wake Forest v University of Virginia, October 26, 1991

Scott Stadium, Section SWS West Row K

UVA was ranked #14 at the time.

Terry Kirby rushed for a career-high 214 yards on 24 carries and scored 3 touchdowns as undefeated Virginia beat Wake Forest, 31-17.

Virginia (5-0 over all, 4-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) won its ninth straight in the series. With a 23-11 edge, it is the only A.C.C. series that Virginia leads.

Kirby went 73 yards for a score on the game's first play, then caught a 5-yard pass from Bobby Goodman with 5 minutes 53 seconds left in the third period, lifting Virginia, ranked among the nation's Top 20 teams, to a 24-7 edge.

Kirby climbed to second place on Virginia's career rushing list with 2,970 yards, surpassing Tom Vigorino's 2,913 yards from 1977 through 1980.

John Leach's 7-yard run midway through the fourth period drew the Demon Deacons (1-3, 0-3) within 24-14, and they reached the Virginia 9 in the final two minutes before settling for Mike Green's 26-yard field goal with 1:55 to play.

Wake Forest failed to recover the ensuing onside kick, and the Cavaliers took advantage with Kirby's 10-yard scoring run with 30 seconds left.

Gortons's of Gloucester Fish Sticks Guy

New York Islanders v Philadelphia Flyers, October 25, 1995

The Spectrum, Section 59 Row 4

The Crows Nest. Great section, great building.
The Islanders and Flyers once had a thing in the 80s. When the Islanders temporarily changed their logo to the Gorton's of Gloucester fish sticks box guy, any respect for the once fierce Islanders was lost.

The goaltenders Dominic Rousell and Tommy Soderstrom kept the puck out of the nets in the first. Mick Vukota put the Islanders up in the 2nd with his first goal of the season. Eric Lindros, Mikael Renberg and Rod Brind'Amour each responded with goals of their own for a 2nd period 3-1 lead for the home team. Vukota squared off with the Flyers Phil Crowe and John McCabe fought Kevin Dineen in the middle seqment.

The 3rd period was scoreless and there were no penelties called.

The Flyers went on to win 3-1 in front of 17,3o2.

Lindros Rookie Year

Montreal Canadians v Philadelphia Flyers, October 24, 1992

The Spectrum, Section 1 Row 10

Eric Lindros rookie year.

7 goals were scored by both teams in the opening period. 5 more were scored in the closing period giving Montreal the edge.

Andre Racicot was in the nets for the Habs in the first 2 periods. Stephane Beauregard came in out of the bullpen for the entire 3rd period. Dominic Rousell pitched a complete game for the home team.

Montreal 7 Flyers 6 in front of 17,360.

Houston Oilers v Philadelphia Eagles, October 24, 1994

Veterans Stadium, Sec 272 Row 23

I was the recipient of a free ticket being this was a Monday Night Football game. Many of the season ticket base, especially the working stiffs, bail on Monday night due to the late start/late finish. My buddy's dad had tickets going back to Franklin Field days. When the weather was too cold or Monday Night games, he would give his son his ticket and stay at home.

A matchup between quarterbacks Cody Carlson and Randell Cunningham. The Oilers only had one win so far this season so there was not much excitement in the air. But the Oilers did put the first points up with an Al Del Greco 21 yard field goal. These were the only points in the 1st quarter.

Charlie Garner punched in a 1 yard run in the 2nd quarter to put the Eagles up 7-3. Del Greco kicked another field goal from 24 yards shortly after the Eagles touchdown.

It wasn't until the 2nd half that the Eagles showed some offensive life. Cunningham connected with Fred Barnett for a 53 yard touchdown pass. Cunningham also found James Joseph open and connected for a 35 yard TD in the 4th.

Cunningham was 13 for 24 for 310 yards. The Eagles leading rusher was Hersall Walker with only 34 yards.

Houston turned over the ball 4 times in the game.

Phils in World Series

Toronto Blue Jays v Philadelphia Phillies, October 21, 1993

Veterans Stadium Sec 743 Row 8 WORLD SERIES GAME 5

Don't let the crappy 700 seats fool you, we were behind the home dugout. Our tickets took us upstairs, deep, deep dead center. We settled in from what seemed like a view from atop the Walt Whitman Bridge. Usually in games, regardless of where your seats are you can drop down to lower levels to walk. Not for the World Series. So some bullshit story was in order to get a security guard to allow us down. And it worked.

Me and my buddy walked from the start of the game along the first walkway behind the box seats from foul pole to foul pole. Great views no complaints. My buddy played minor league ball and roomed with one of the big boys on the field. After an inning or so someone down near the dugout on the stands calls his name. They come up and invite both of us to the 2 seats next to him until we get kicked out. So we are about 6 rows behind the Phils dugout for a World Series game. Even if it is for only a half inning. So we thought.

No one showed up. They were our seats. Possession is 9/10 for the frickin law and we were possessing.

Pitching duels aren't everyone's cup of team. But to some, they are phenomenal. To the delight of the home crowd, the Phils manufactured a run in the 1st with small ball. Kevin Stocker doubled in Darren Daulton in the 2nd for a 2-0 lead. And that was it offensivly.

Jesus Guzman lasted 7 full innings for the visting Jays. Curt Schilling pitched a gem with a 5 hit shutout. More importanly life to live one more game. But who knew that night Joe Carter would rip the hearts out of an entire city a few nights later.

That God-Awful Stadium in Washington

Arizona Cardinals v Washington Redskins, October 21, 2007

FedEx Field, Sec 223 Row 16

As I turned off the Philadelphia Eagles radio broadcast last Sunday, Eagles play by play legend Merrell Reese signed off by saying; "We'll see you next week from that God-awful stadium in Washington".

I appreciate being taken to a ballgame on someone else's dime. So I can't complain too much about the tailgating, the game and the after game festivities in the stadium cigar bar.

But I am not a huge fan of the FedEx/Redskins experience. I remember DC as a football fanatic city with one of the greatest stadium atmospheres anywhere. And I watch it decline to relative obscurity. The team sucks but the new 85,000 + seat oval lacks any character or passion of the old dump called RFK Stadium.

Clinton Portis rushed the ball from the 2 yard line in the 1st Quarter to put the homeskins ahead. One time Super Bowl hero Kurt Warner threw an interception that was picked off by London Fletcher for a 27 yard TD in the 2nd. The Cardinals were down quickly 14-0. Later in the 2nd Anquan Boldin caught a 10 yard TD throw from Warner for the Cards but the PAT failed.

Portis put another 6 on the board in the 3rd. That proved to be the last scoring for the Redskins in the game. But Arizona added another 7 with another Boldin 10 yard pass from Warner.
Leonard Pope scored again from the Cardinals but a 2 point PAT failed, making the score 21-19 in favor of the Redskins.

Arizona gained control of the ball on one final drive only to have the a Neil Rackers 55 yard FG in the closing seconds of the game fall short. The home team homers celebrated.

The Card controled the stat book with almost twice as many first downs, 283 to 95 yards passing and 200 more total yards. The Cardinals also turned the ball over 2 more times then the Redskins.

Of significance was a Sean Taylor 48 yard interception. In November of 2007 Sean Taylor was murdered in his home in the Miami area after

Fall Classic

San Francisco Giants v Anaheim Angels, October 19, 2002

Edison Field, Sec C301 Row 1 WORLD SERIES GAME 1

Forget my diatribe about games starting too late on the East Coast on for the normal working man to stay up and watch to completion. I was on the West Coast for this 5PM PST start. Who cares about all those people on the East Coast?

We started the day when the bars in Newport Beach opened and the pregame party begun. We ended up watching a KNBR broadcast from National Sports Bar, across Oceanwood.

We had first row seats in one of the smaller tiers at the stadium. Overlooking Barry Bonds' big head.

Game time temp was 71 degrees. Jarrod Washburn was facing the Giants Jason Schmidt. Washburn sat down the first 3 batters in the top of the 1st. Schmidt responded with the same.

After heckling Bonds for the entire first when the Giants in the field, he stepped up and blasted a laser deep into the right field stands further then any ball I have ever seen hit live during a game. This was Bond's first home run in a World Series. Reggie Saunders also hit a HR in the 2nd to give San Fran a 2-0 lead.

The Halo's Troy Glaus hit a solo shot in the 3rd to close the margin to 2-1. Then the bats stayed quiet until the 6th with a JT Snow homer with Sanders on first. Adam Kennedy drove in another run for the Angels in the 6th.

That ended up being the scoring for the remainder of the game. The Angels did put in Mt Laurel, NJ's Scott Schoeneweis to face Barry Bonds in the 8th. Bonds walked.

The Giants Rob Nenn sat down the sides in the bottom of the 9th to secure a series 1-0 lead for San Franisco.

The series went to 7 games with the Angels winning.

F* ESPN

UNC vs Virginia, October 19, 2006

Scott Stadium, Sec 517 Row G

Another example of Big TV coming in and starting a game way to late for those on the East Coast.
No one wants to buy a ticket under the guise you will attending a game on a beautiful autumn afternoon only to have goons in Bristol, CT or NYC change your entire plans.

This game was moved to "accommodate" ESPN and turn it into a Thursday night game. I held my own little protest. I did not go to the game. I did not sell my tickets. I did not give my tickets away. I wanted those pseudo sports fans in Bristol to have to pan by my seats and see them empty. Empty seats on national TV was my payback.

For the record, UVA did win 23-0. Another kick in Big Network's groin. A majority of the county probably dumped out of the game by the 2nd quarter. I was in bed by 10pm, just like every work night.

The Clash in Williamsburg

The Clash, October 15, 1982

William and Mary Hall, Sec General Admission

I just saw the band as an opening act about a month earlier in a 100,000 person venue. W&M Hall may seat less than 10,000 for a concert. A much better atmosphere. I had an NCAA championship to compete in the next day, so being bad was not an option (that was the plan). That plan didn't hold up and a member of another team who I went to the show with ended up puking all over the place on the field the next day. So, yes; We had a good time.

We were upstairs on the left hand side of the stage. The band was much more focused then what I remembered from the Philadelphia show in September. One thing I remember was a girl jumping up on stage several times to dance with the band. After a closer look I realized I went to school with the girl and was somewhat friendly with her.

It turned out The Clash really did not tour extensively in the states, so this turned out to be a rare glimpse of this great band.

The band was less then a week removed from a live appearance on Saturday Night Live, in the days when that show was still relevant. The Clash was on a short hiatus from touring with The Who. They just finished playing at Shea Stadium. They mixed in a few small college gigs as the headliner. They continued touring with The Who on the West Coast after this Williamsburg concert.

Known setlist:

London Calling
Car Jamming
Safe European Home
One More Time
The Guns Of Brixton
Stay Free
Rock the Casbah
Call Up
Know Your Rights
Junco Partner
Train In Vain
This Is Radio Clash
English Civil War
Brand New Cadillac
Police On My Back
Clampdown
I Fought the Law
Straight to Hell
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Tommy Gun
Bankrobber
London’s Burning
Complete Control

Playoffs. Wild Thing. Extra Innings.

Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies, Game 1 NLCS 1993

Veterans Stadium, Sec 743 Row 3

Deep center field 700 level seats. Playoff fever was rampant in Philadelphia leading up to the start of this series. 10 years since the team's last playoff appearance.

62,012 were on hand to watch Curt Schilling take on Steve Avery.

After striking out the first 3 Braves in the top of the 1st, Lenny Dykstra led off the bottom of the 1st with a double and Mariano Duncan single set up a John Kruk groundout that scored Dykstra.

Schilling started the 2nd with 2 more strikeouts before a Terry Pendleton groundout ended the inning. Otis Nixon doubled in pitcher Steve Avery in the 3rd to tie the ballgame up. Dave Justice sacraficed in Ron Gant in the 4th.

Pete Incaviglia hit a solo home run to tie things up in the bottom of the 4th. Kruk, Dave Hollins and Darren Daulton were on base in the 5th when a wild pitch from Avery to Incaviglia scored Kruk for a Phils 3-2 lead.

Mitch Wild Thing Williams was brought in the top of the 9th to close out the game. Kim Batiste was put on third to replace Dave Hollins. In typical Wild Thing fashion he walked the lead off batter. A Mark Lemke grounder to Batiste resulted in a throwing error which lead to a man on first and third with no outs. Rafeal Beliard bunted to the 1st base side sacraficing pinch runner Tony Tarasco to 2nd. An Otis Nixon grounder scored Brian Pecota to tie the game up.

The Phils were unable to finish things off in the bottom of the 9th sending the game into extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th John Kruk doubled with one out. With Kruk on second, replacement Kim Batiste, with a 2-1 count, doubled to left field off releiver Greg McMichaels, giving the Phillies the win and a 1-0 lead in the NLCS.

Erie Panthers v Richmond Renegades, October 10, 1995

Richmond Coliseum, Section 18U Row F

Some of these minor league games are going to be hard to research.

The Renegades finished the season first in their division in the 95-96 season but were eliminated in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

I post this video of ex Renegade Trevor Senn because he is now a bartender in town where I now live. I usually use the $1 per beer tip method when in a bar. I tend to throw a few more to Trevor out of respect. And fear.

Where's The Cooler?

Los Angeles Raiders v New England Patriots, October 9, 1994

Foxboro Stadium Section 23 Row 12

A bus trip from a bar in Peabody. Plenty of beer on the bus for the trip down. Plenty of beer for the tailgate. And a special plenty of beer cooler the size of a small fishing vessel reserved for the after game tailgate party.

Drew Bledsoe versus Jeff Hostetler. Nothing in the 1st. A 24 yard FG by the Patriots Matt Bahr (Penn State) put the Pats up in the 2nd quarter. Shortly after Bahr's FG, the Raiders Terry McDaniel picked off a Drew Bledsoe pass and ran for a 14 yard touchdown.

Still in the 2nd, Bledsoe connected with Kevin Turner for a 7 yard TD pass. Bledsoe also dumped a 3 yard TD pass to Leroy Thompson to put the Pats up 17-7.

But the 1st half wasn't over yet. The Raiders responded with a Hostetler 27 yard TD pass to Harvey Williams just before the half ended.

Hostetler ran one in during the 3rd period putting the Raiders up for good 21-17.

In a losing cause the Patriots Drew Bledsoe was 23 for 55, 321 yards passed and 2 TDs.

Even thought the home team lost there was a boat sized cooler of chilled beers waiting for us at the bus. With 40 guys milling around the bus the fishing cooler of beer was brought off the bus and we all dove in. A while later someone asked where the cooler was. It was no where to be found. It was stolen. The thing was the size of a coffin. In the middle of 40 guys, someone (or two) walked off with a cooler the size of a coffin. And no one saw it happen. Genius.

So we are beer-less for 2 hours (bus planned on waiting 2 hours after game's end so we wouldn't have to sit in traffic.) plus the trip back to Peabody. Others began scrambling getting money together to buy single beers off other tailgaters. It was proving to be a slow and expensive process. So I walked onto an RV with Ontario tags, pleaded my case to our neighbor's to the North and the guys broke out a full 12 pack of Molson XXX and gave it to me. It didn't even cost me any of that Monopoly looking Canadian dollars. Can't beat that.

Be nice to a Canadian the next time you are in a bar. They are always looking out for us.

No School Today Either

Los Angeles Dodgers v Philadelphia Phillies, 1978 NLCS Game 2

Veterans Stadium, Sec 714 Row 5

Same teams one year later. Same section as I went with an aunt who was a season ticket holder.

How ironic was it that Tommy John would end up needing Tommy John surgery? John was the Dodgers starting pitcher going against the Phils Dick Ruthven.

Davy Lopes homered off Ruthven to start off the 4th. And in the 5th, the same thorn in the side to the Phils. Dusty Baker doubled to get things going for the Dodgers. Davy Lopes singled both Baker and Steve Yeager in for a 3-0 lead for the Dodgers.

Lopes also tripled in the 7th to score Rick Monday and put Los Angeles ahead 4-0.

The series would move to LA with the Dodgers up 2-0 in the best of 5 series. The Dodgers would go onto the World Series to face the New York Yankees.

No School Today

Los Angeles Dodgers v Philadelphia Phillies, 1977 NLCS Game 3

Veterans Stadium, Sec 714 Row 7

Any day you get pulled out of school to go to a ballgame is a good day.

Back in the day before Big Network greed baseball was played during the day. I wasn't the only one not in school or not working this afternoon, 63,719 were skipping something.

To start the game, 6 batters from both sides stepped up and 6 batters were sat down. Names like Davey Lopes, Larry Bowa and Mike Schmidt. It wasn't until the a Dusty Baker double to center with Ron Cey on first was there any activity on the basepads. The Dodgers Steve Yeager singled in Baker for a 2-0 lead.

In the 3rd the Phils put some runs on the board in an unorthodox way. With Bob Boone, Richie Hebner and Ted Seizemore on base, Dodgers pitcher Burt Hooten walked in Phillies starting pitcher Larry Christenson. Hooten went on to walk Bake McBride and Larry Bowa, forcing in 2 more runs and making it necessary for manager Tommy Lasorda to make a call to the bullpen.
With bases still loaded and releiver Rick Rhoden on the mound, Mike Schmidt stepped up and worked a dramatic full count before popping out to the centerfielder Rick Monday.

Dusty Baker drove in Cey for another Dodger run in the 4th to tie the game up at 3-3.

The bottom of the 8th turned exciting with a lead off Richie Hebner double. Gary Maddox singled in Hebner and reached third on a throwing error. Then Bob Boone reached 1st courtesy of a Ron Cey throwing error as Maddox scored.

With a 5-3 lead going into the 9th, the Phils Gene Garber got both Baker and Monday to ground out and put the team with one out of a victory a 2-1 lead in the best of 5 series.

But a player I never heard of or remember, Vic Davalillo, bunted safely in a pinch hit situation. Davalillo was born in 1936! A Manny Mota double followed by a Lopes and Bill Russell singles put the Dodgers ahead 6-5 going into the bottom of the 9th.

With Bowa, Schmidt and Greg Luzinski slated to hit, there was still some optimism in the stadium. Bowa popped one up to short and Schmidt flied out to right. Luzinski was hit by a pitch and represented the tying run until Richie Hebner grounded out to end the ball game.

Spiders v Blue Hens

University of Delaware v University of Richmond, October 7, 2000

University of Richmond Stadium, Section East F

The home Spiders jumped to a 1st quarter 10-0 lead on the 25 yard TD run from Gustus and a 27 yard FG from kicker Kirchner. The Spiders also struck again the 2nd with a 52 pass from QB Ouden to Gustus.

But it was all Blue Hens after that. Penecale caught a 17 yard pass from Nagy followed by an O'Neal 6 yard TD a Collins 27 yard FG and and 83 yard pass to Elliott.

The visiting Hens beat Richmond 24-17

It's Only Rock and Roll

The Rolling Stones, October 6, 2005

Scott Stadium, Section 112, Row L



WELCOME MIDLOTHIAN.

The Rolling Stones stopped their show early Thursday night at UVA's Scott Stadium. Sixty minutes into the show Thursday night, Mick Jagger made an unexpected announcement. He stepped to the microphone and announced to the 55,000 fans on hand that the band was taking an intermission at the request of stadium security. Jagger said the Stones would be back in around ten minutes.

Shortly thereafter, the stadium lights came back on and bomb sniffing dogs were brought onto the stage. According to witnesses, the band was escorted out of the stadium. The band was seen getting into vans and being driven away from the stadium under police escort.

Security cleared out those sitting on the stage, those sitting in the first thirty rows on the field and those in the first ten rows in the stadium sections closest to the stage. Dogs were seen sniffing on the stage, in those aforementioned areas of seats and backstage.

In an official press release, Carol Wood, Assistant Vice President for University Relations states, “a bomb threat was phoned in at 8:56 p.m. to 911. The threat was specific to the stage area in Scott Stadium. Every action was taken to ensure the safety of those in attendance. The crowd of approximately 50,000 was cooperative and worked with the police and concert staff throughout the sweep, which lasted for about 45 minutes. Once the police declared the area safe, the concert resumed. The band said it would not cut the concert short, and completed the entire repertoire. The show finally concluded without further incident at about 12:15 a.m”.

The press release further states that the bomb threat will be under investigation by University of Virginia Police with the assistance of Charlottesville, Albemarle and State police, all of which were in attendance at Thursday night's concert and part of the Police Command Center.

The setlist:

1. Start Me Up
2. It's Only Rock'n Roll
3. Shattered
4. Tumbling Dice
5. Rough Justice
6. Ruby Tuesday
7. Sweet Virginia
   
8. All Down the Line
   
9. Night Time is the Right Time
   --- band intros, thru Ronnie.
   Time: 9:43pm
   "We have to take a 10 minute break, according to the authorities". Band leaves the Stadium, they bring in bomb sniffing dogs, clear out the stage people entirely, and vacate everyone in the first third of the field and the seats at the ends of Mick's catwalks.
   Time: 10:38pm
10. Miss You (to second stage)
11. Oh No, Not You Again
12. Get Off My Cloud
13. Honky Tonk Women (from second stage)
14. Sympathy For The Devil
15. Midnight Rambler!
16. Paint It Black
17. Brown Sugar
18. Jumping Jack Flash
19. You Can't Always Get What You Want (encore)
20. Satisfaction (encore)

Inaugural Phantoms Game

Rochester Americans v Philadelphia Phantoms, October 6, 1996

The Spectrum, Section B, Row 19

The Phantoms played their first ever home game at the Spectrum on October 6, 1996 against the defending Calder Cup Champion Rochester Americans, winning the game 3-1. When the Flyers moved into the Big House across the parking lot, the Spectrum needed a tenant. The Flyers moved their AHL affiliate from Hershey to Philadelphia.

The Phantoms became an instant success led by Vaclav Prospal and Frank The Animal Bialowas.

The Phantoms began playing in the Wachovia Spectrum in 1996, and have spent their entire 12 years at the Spectrum. After the Wachovia Area was built, the Philadelphia Flyers moved their minor league affiliate from Hershey to Philadelphia.

The Phantoms have enjoyed a lot of success at the Spectrum. They won their first division title during their inaugural season in 1996-97. The Phantoms also captured division titles in 1997-98, 1998-99, and 2004-04. They are on pace to capture their fifth division title this season.

In addition to their four division titles, the Phantoms have won two Calder Cup Championships. In 1998, the Phantoms defeated the Saint John Flames for their first Calder Cup, and brought the Cup back to Philadelphia in 2005 while sweeping the Chicago Wolves.

In 12 years of play in South Philadelphia, the Phantoms have only suffered two losing seasons, and have missed the playoffs only three times.

Post 9/11 Opening Night

New York Rangers v Carolina Panthers October 5, 2001

RBC Center, Section 312 Row H

Opening Night just a month after 9/11. A New York team on the ice. Families of victims were introduced before the game. It was Eric Lindros first game in a Rangers uniform.

A rather somber pregame ceremony. And fitting, given the circumstances.

Sandish Ozolinsh got the Canes ahead rather quickly with a goal on the Rangers Mike Ricther at 0:28 in the first. Darren Langdon tallied the Canes 2nd goal 2 minutes later.

In the 2nd Hurricanes Sami Kapanen added the team's 3rd late in the 2nd. The only other goal of the game came in the 3rd when the Rangers Mark Messier closed the gap at 11:23.

Arthus Irbe got the win for the Canes. Richter suffered the loss. The shots on goal was even at 31-30.

This was a special game as it was my daughter's first NHL game.

New Building

Florida Panthers v Philadelphia Flyers,

October 5, 1996 CoreStates Center, Sec 221 Row 3

The Flyers closed out the classic Spectrum in the late spring with a playoff elimination by Florida. Philadelphia, as a sports city, does not have a stellar record of winning in big hype games. We have a brand new building and a lot of press.

This is my third time in the Big House. An open house carnival, the World Cup Finals and tonight.

Our old seats in the classic Spectrum were in the 3rd level Crows Nest. This atmosphere-less building only has 2 levels. For some reason our season tickets from the old building to the new "upgraded" us to the 3rd row in the second level. All in all, the distance to the ice was about as high and as far.

You would expect with all the hype surrounding the christening of a new building the team would come out of the gates on fire. Not so.

Brian Smyth for the Panthers got the first goal in the new building (in regular season NHL play) at 3:51 in the first. A minute later the Flyers Dainus Zubrus notched the first Flyers goal.

A former friend of a neighbor and former Flyer, Scott Mellenby, scored the 2nd for the visitors. Garpenlov for the Panthers scored again in the 3rd for the final goal of the game.

The Flyers were able to control the puck, only allowing 19 shots on Ron Hextall. The home team put 32 shots on net. John Vanbiesbrouck turned away all but one.

The largest crowd in Flyers history was on hand, 19,137. The old Spectrum housed only 17,666 when busting at the seams.

At least the official panoramic photo for the opening of this new building included me in the photo.

Martinez Wins for Boston

Boston Red Sox v Baltimore Red Sox, October 2, 1999

Camden Yards, Sec 72 Row WW

A Martinez gets the win for Boston. It was not Pedro.

A scoreless game until the 6th. Mike Stanley and Lou Merloni both homered with men on to jump to a 4-0 lead. Boston's Damon Buford hit a grand slam in the top of the 9th to seal a 8-0 win for the visiting Red Sox.

Ramon Martinez was credited with the win in front of 48,000.

Red Sox in October 2004

Boston Red Sox v Baltimore Orioles, October 1, 2004

Camden Yards, Sec 61 Row C

The Red Sox in October in the magical year of 2004. But not the playoffs.

Camden Yards was packed with Sox fans. We arrived early. Myself in a Sox hat. Son in a Sox shirt, buddy in a Sox jersey and his nephew in a Sox jersey. Never felt intimidated wearing what I wanted to wear. But we were the1st to arrive in a bar outside left field hours before the game. The 2nd crew to arrive were adorn in Sox garb. And so were the 3rd, 4th, etc.

Knuckle baller Tim Wakefield took the mound for the Sox. The Red Sox jumped on the board first with a Johnny Damon HR to center. The O's responded in the 5th and 6th with manufacturered runs for a 2-1 lead.

The Sox chiseled a few more in the 6th and 7th. The bullpen decided this one. The Sox got to the O's closer in the 9th with a 2 runs followed by a David Ortiz 2 run homer.

Over 39,000 were on hand, mostly Boston fans on their sendoff to the team who was on a quest to break a curse dating back to 1918.