4th of July

New York Mets v Philadelphia Phillies, July 4, 1977

Veterans Stadium, Sec 314 Row 3

This date, out of all, will be under represented. I remember in the 70's-80's going almost annually to the Phils Firework Nights. Being able to step on the same lush green turf (while wearing the rosy glasses of a kid in the 70's) to lie down in the outfield and watch the fireworks show. Most Firework Nights were sellouts, which was rare in this 60,000 characterless bowl.

Some of the explosions were so big they would totally engulf the top of the stadium. And the sounds that reverberated through that huge, concrete structure.

But I could only find 2 ticket stubs as proof of my attendance.

How about this for a managerial match up; Danny Ozark, the skipper for the Fightins and Joe Torre for the Mets. Yeah, Joe Torre.

And how about Jim Lonborg and Jerry Koosman matchup? It took the Fightins' to the third to get on the board. Shortstop Larry Bowa singled followed by a Mike Schmidt double. Both were knocked in my a triple by Downtown Ollie Brown. Brown was knocked in by Gary Maddox (Sr.).

The 6th place Mets, already 18 1/2 games back went down 3-1 to the 2nd place Phils.
Ron Reed picked up the save for the hometeam.

All-Steroid Team Line Up

Texas Rangers v California Angels, July 3, 1989

Anaheim Stadium, Sec 220, Row B

This was a Monday night game after I spent the previous day in the sun at Dodger Stadium.
Mondays traditionally suck for attendance. The game had an announced attendance of 29,614.
The stadium was still enclosed in the outfield to accommodate NFL Los Angeles Rams.

The stadium at the time lacked character, but at least had natural turf. It looked nothing like it does now, after a 2nd major renovation.

The Rangers had both Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro in the line up.

One handed Jim Abbott started for California with Mike Jeffcoat taking the mound for Texas.

With all of the suspected juicers in the lineup you would expect some longball. But there was none. California's Wally Joyner got things started for the home team in the 3rd with a double that knocked in Dick Schofield and Devon White.

Lance Parrish and Sammy Sosa both doubled for their respective teams.

Rookie Jim Abbott went a strong 8 with 5 hits and 2 runs earned. Abbott was inserted in the Angels starting rotation this season without ever pitching a game in the minor leagues.

Fish Out of Water

Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band, July 3, 1990

Mann Music Center, 30 Loge Box

1990 in Philadelphia was a time when Buffett was not widely known. Jimmy was already extremely popular down South, where I first was exposed to his music.

I have seen him already down South. I think we had to beg people from work to get tickets for this show and to go with us.

As always, it was a good tailgate scene. I know we turned on 2 other couples this year. Our tailgates grew with several more in the upcoming years as our salty piece of asphalt in the parking lot grew

This was Jimmy's Jump Up Tour. And some songs played:

1 You'll Never Work In Dis Bidness Again 2 Stars On The Water 3 Off To See The Lizard 4 Come Monday 5 Last Mango In Paris 6 Today’s Message 7 Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw 8 Grapefruit-Juicy Fruit 9 If The Phone Doesn't Ring, It's Me 10 The City 11 One Particular Harbour 12 Son Of A Son Of A Sailor 13 Little Miss Magic 14 Rocky Raccoon 15 Honey Do 16 Cheeseburger In Paradise 17 A Pirate Looks At Forty 18 Jolly Mon Sing 19 Gypsies In The Palace 20 Fins 21 Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes 22 Pascagoula Run 23 Margaritaville Encores: 24 Jamaica Farewell 25 Volcano

Minor League 4th

Norfolk Tides v Richmond Braves, July 3, 2000 The Diamond, Box 111 Row O

Ottawa Lynx v Richmond Braves, July 3, 2006 The Diamond, Sec 214 Row A

These were 4th of July firework night game. The Braves always put on a 1st class firework show.

Since the city forced the Braves out of Richmond to Gwinnet, GA, I am unaware of any fireworks scheduled in Richmond this 4th of July.

Good job Mayor Douglas Wilder, City Council and Governor Tim Kaine for blowing that one.

If I found 2 ticket stubs from fireworks night from 2000-2006, I lost several others.

Bryan Pena drove in two runs to help Richmond double up visiting Ottawa, 8-4, on Monday.

Pena's two-run single in the second inning gave the Braves (30-53) an early 4-3 lead. Gregor Blanco, Carlos Mendez and Jonathan Schuerholz each drove in a run for Richmond.

Braves starter Ricardo Rodriguez (4-7) allowed four runs on nine hits over six innings, fanning four without issuing a walk. The 6-foot-5 right-hander posted his first win since an 8-2 victory over Syracuse on June 2.

Lynx starter Cory Morris (0-5) lost his fourth straight start, surrendering four runs on five hits in four frames.

Adam Tracy launched his 16th homer, a two-run blast that staked Ottawa (41-44) to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first.

Chávez Ravine First

Pittsburgh Pirates at Los Angeles Dodgers, July 2, 1989

Dodger Stadium, Sec 106 Box A

My first time in Dodger Stadium. Unfortunately, I don't think I appreciated the moment.
I was now a Bostonian, and I reeked an aura of superiority, like all Bostonians.
I was now better then everyone else. I had Fenway Park in my hometown.

That changed shortly afterward when I was back to being a miserable Philadelphian with a perpetual sense of inferiority and a crappy baseball stadium. But back to this day.

It was a beautiful summer day. A 1PM game. The Pirates were a decent team, but not a draw by themselves on the west coast. Still over 40,000 were on hand. We were seated between home plate and 1st base. My buddy "guaranteed" we would catch a foul ball. Being I have already, up to this point in my life, been to at least a hundred Major League games and never sniffed a foul ball, I was excited. And they started flying. At games end my friend counted 17 alone in our section. Close, but no cigar.

John Tudor took the mound for the Dodgers with Doug Drabek pitching for Pittsburgh.
The game was scoreless until the top of the 4th when Pittsburgh's Andy Van Slyke drove in Glenn Wilson.

Jose Gonzalez homered for the Dodgers in the 5th with Jeff Hamilton on board giving Blue a 2-1 lead. Gonzalez drove in another in the 6th.

The Pirates scored another with a young pinch hitting Barry Bonds at the plate in the 9th....on a passed ball when Wilson was on 3rd. No RBI in that ruling.

Dodger reliever Jay Howell struck out the final two batter to end the ball game for his 15th save of the season. John Wetteland was credited with the win with Drabek getting the loss.

Kirk Gibson was hitless, Eddie Muarry went 3 for 4 and Delaware Country native and future Angels skipper Mike Scioscia caught for the Dodgers.

More Thorogood

George Thorogood and the Destroyers, July 2, 1982

Mann Music Center, Sec GA

Makes sense that he would come up again so quickly (6/23/04) as this is a band who I have seen many times over a span of many decades.

Thorogood is a guy from Naamans Gardens, not far from my own hometown. And one of my first jobs was at a Wilmington Dry Goods, not far from Naamans Gardens. Plus I was raised on 93.3 WMMR, a radio station that was very kind to Thorogood in his early days.
I'm sure that is how I found out about this show.

This is the second time I have seen Thorogood live. He was just coming off a tour as the opening act with The Rolling Stones. This show was the band's first since returning from Europe with The Stones a few weeks earlier. Their popularity grew rapidly in the Delaware Valley. Many fans, like myself, we too young to see him in the nightclubs.

This is about the time he ventured into larger venues, like The Mann.
The Mann is in West Philly, past the Zoo. It is an outdoor venue with the stage and some seating under cover.

The Nighthawks opened the show.

This was an opportunity to let loose without the time constrant of being an opening act.

Songs included:

Hello Little Girl
Kids From Philly
Who Do You Love?
I'm Wanted
Cocaine Blues
One Way Ticket
One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
As The Years Go Passing By
John Hardy
Nobody But Me
Bottom Of The Sea
Night Time
I'll Change My Style
Miss Luann
Madison Blues
The Sky Is Crying
Can’t Stop Lovin
That Same Thing
Bad To The Bone
Move It On Over
I’m Just Your Good Thing
Ride On Josephine
It Wasn’t Me
New Boogie Chillun
No Particular Place To Go
Reelin' and Rockin'