C'mon Meat, throw me that weak-ass shit!

Durham Bulls v Richmond Braves, July 5, 2001

The Diamond, Richmond, VA Box 110 Row O

The Bulls sent eight men to the plate in a three-run second inning and a five-run eighth inning as Durham pounded the Richmond Braves 12-5.

The AAA Bulls got on the scoreboard first in the second inning scoring three runs highlighted by a 2-run triple from 2B Mike Caruso. Richmond took a 4-3 lead with four runs in the third inning, but Caruso struck again with an RBI-single to tie the game 4-4 in the fourth inning.

Leading 7-4, the Bulls tacked on five runs in the eighth inning capped off with a two-run home run from 3B Jared Sandberg. The Bulls took three-of-four games in the home/road series with Richmond.

LHP Cedrick Bowers (6-3) picked up the win in relief with three shutout innings allowing four hits and no walks. RHP Ismael Villegas (2-5) took the loss allowing five runs (earned) on seven hits and three walks.

The Bulls were 42-44 for the season. The win moves manager Bill Evers (286-230) into a tie for third place on the Bulls all-time list for victories with Grady Little.

Born on the 4th of July

New York Mets v Philadelphia Phillies, July 4, 1983

Veterans Stadium,

The Phils were still fielding the core of their 1980 championship team. A team that would win another pennant in 83 (before falling to the Baltimore Orioles in the Series).

52,710 were on hand at The Vet for Fireworks Night with the rival Mets in town. Steve Carlton faced Walt Terrell.

Left fielder Jim Lefebvre went 2 for 3 with a double and triple for the winners.
Lefty Carlton pitched a full game with no runs scored on 4 hits. That's a Hall of Fame outing kids.

Other notables taking the field; Mookie Wilson, Keith Hernandez, George Foster, Dave Kingman, Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt and Von Hayes.

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.