Cubs @ Astros - May 25, 2004

Hammer755 · 05-26-2004, 10:06 AM

Well, the Cubs were in town for a brief 2-game set, but they didn't bring many of the guys I wanted to see with them. I had purchased a ticket in RF to see Sammy sprint out there before the game, only to be denied when Corky hurt his back sneezing and was put on the DL the day after I bought my ticket. No Prior and no Wood either limited my photo ops, but the Cubbies will be back several more times this season.

Roy Oswalt started the game for the Astros, which seems like about the 20th start of his that I've attended this year. This was by far the sharpest he's looked all season, going 7 innings and giving up only 3 hits. Orlando Palmeiro (!) and Lance Berkman went deep for the Astros. Berkman is really playing well right now and I couldn't be happier. I felt so dirty when I picked him over Chipper Jones in my fantasy draft, but I feel just a little bit better about it every day. Astros won 5-0, and improve to 2-6 in games which I've attended.

The park was absolutely packed, and there were about 4 times as many people there to watch BP than normal. Luckily enough, I got my traditional position right behind the first entrance to the dugout. The Cubs had a lot of fans show up, both for pre-game warmups and for the game itself.

As I reached my spot, none other than the Lizard himself was standing by the dugout.

Hammer755 · 05-26-2004, 10:13 AM

As I'm scanning around looking for a decent picture to take, a guy and his kid show up with tickets to the seat next to where I was standing. Immediately the kid starts going nuts, screaming 'Dusty, Dusty, Dusty, I know that guy, I know that guy, he's my uncle, he's my uncle', all the while jumping up and down. Finally, Dusty pokes his head out of the dugout and starts talking to the guy beside me.

He agreed to sign my buddie's ball, and he chucked him the one that had Tony Larussa's autograph on it. Later, I made a flippant comment about it being his 'Overrated Managers' ball. I kind of regretted saying that after talking to the dude beside me for a minute.

Apparently, the guy was Dusty's cousin, and when I asked him if he knew him very well, he replied by telling me that Dusty was his mentor growing up and has always taken care of him. He then got really angry discussing Baker's career and how badly the Dodgers screwed him. Dusty invited him to the clubhouse after the game, giving him very detailed instructions on how to get in.

For a moment I considered tagging along and sneaking in, but I don't think I have it in me - that and the fact that your name had to be on the list.

Hammer755 · 05-26-2004, 10:14 AM

One more Dusty for the road.

Hammer755 · 05-26-2004, 10:16 AM

With Sosa, Prior, and Wood out, my target list was pretty short, but I managed to get pretty much everybody on it.

Here's Aramis Ramirez, with a shoutout to his boy Stam Cralk.

Hammer755 · 05-26-2004, 10:19 AM

Here is Derek Lee. Man is that dude tall and skinny.

Hammer755 · 05-26-2004, 10:21 AM

Here is Moises Alou. He shook this security guard's hand (he probably knew him from his days as an Astro), and I could have sworn I saw the guy wipe his hand on his pants immediately afterwards.

Hammer755 · 05-26-2004, 10:22 AM

Here's a better one of Mo.

Hammer755 · 05-26-2004, 10:23 AM

I saved the best for last.

jaxmagicman · 05-26-2004, 11:03 AM

Chicks dig the Long Ball. I guess he is working on that, since his pitching is going.

Dwolfson20 · 05-26-2004, 02:06 PM

Nice pics.

LivnLegend · 05-26-2004, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hammer755
He then got really angry discussing Baker's career and how badly the Dodgers screwed him. Dusty invited him to the clubhouse after the game, giving him very detailed instructions on how to get in.

This has always really bugged me. I'm a huge Dodger homer but I will admit this is one area where the Dodgers really screwed up. And this was the Peter O'Malley/Lasorda Dodgers, not the Fox version so there is no excuse. They did not do right by Dusty and they paid for it by watching him qualify for the playoffs with the Hated Ones in NoCal several times.

They repeated the same mistake with Mike Scioscia, although that was Kevin Malone who severed that tie.

dougaiton · 05-26-2004, 07:45 PM

Nice stuff H. Next time, just look Dusty straight in the eyes and say 'I'm your cousin now too. I married this guy in Massachusetts'. Works every time.

matskralc · 05-26-2004, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hammer755
Here's Aramis Ramirez, with a shoutout to his boy Stam Cralk.

Shoutout? More like another twist in the knife in my heart.

05-26-2004, 10:06 AM	#1
Hammer755 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,348	Cubs @ Astros - May 25, 2004 Well, the Cubs were in town for a brief 2-game set, but they didn't bring many of the guys I wanted to see with them. I had purchased a ticket in RF to see Sammy sprint out there before the game, only to be denied when Corky hurt his back sneezing and was put on the DL the day after I bought my ticket. No Prior and no Wood either limited my photo ops, but the Cubbies will be back several more times this season. Roy Oswalt started the game for the Astros, which seems like about the 20th start of his that I've attended this year. This was by far the sharpest he's looked all season, going 7 innings and giving up only 3 hits. Orlando Palmeiro (!) and Lance Berkman went deep for the Astros. Berkman is really playing well right now and I couldn't be happier. I felt so dirty when I picked him over Chipper Jones in my fantasy draft, but I feel just a little bit better about it every day. Astros won 5-0, and improve to 2-6 in games which I've attended. The park was absolutely packed, and there were about 4 times as many people there to watch BP than normal. Luckily enough, I got my traditional position right behind the first entrance to the dugout. The Cubs had a lot of fans show up, both for pre-game warmups and for the game itself. As I reached my spot, none other than the Lizard himself was standing by the dugout. Attached Images

05-26-2004, 10:13 AM	#2
Hammer755 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,348	As I'm scanning around looking for a decent picture to take, a guy and his kid show up with tickets to the seat next to where I was standing. Immediately the kid starts going nuts, screaming 'Dusty, Dusty, Dusty, I know that guy, I know that guy, he's my uncle, he's my uncle', all the while jumping up and down. Finally, Dusty pokes his head out of the dugout and starts talking to the guy beside me. He agreed to sign my buddie's ball, and he chucked him the one that had Tony Larussa's autograph on it. Later, I made a flippant comment about it being his 'Overrated Managers' ball. I kind of regretted saying that after talking to the dude beside me for a minute. Apparently, the guy was Dusty's cousin, and when I asked him if he knew him very well, he replied by telling me that Dusty was his mentor growing up and has always taken care of him. He then got really angry discussing Baker's career and how badly the Dodgers screwed him. Dusty invited him to the clubhouse after the game, giving him very detailed instructions on how to get in. For a moment I considered tagging along and sneaking in, but I don't think I have it in me - that and the fact that your name had to be on the list. Attached Images

05-26-2004, 10:14 AM	#3
Hammer755 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,348	One more Dusty for the road. Attached Images

05-26-2004, 10:16 AM	#4
Hammer755 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,348	With Sosa, Prior, and Wood out, my target list was pretty short, but I managed to get pretty much everybody on it. Here's Aramis Ramirez, with a shoutout to his boy Stam Cralk. Attached Images

05-26-2004, 10:19 AM	#5
Hammer755 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,348	Here is Derek Lee. Man is that dude tall and skinny. Attached Images

05-26-2004, 10:21 AM	#6
Hammer755 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,348	Here is Moises Alou. He shook this security guard's hand (he probably knew him from his days as an Astro), and I could have sworn I saw the guy wipe his hand on his pants immediately afterwards. Attached Images

05-26-2004, 10:22 AM	#7
Hammer755 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,348	Here's a better one of Mo. Attached Images

05-26-2004, 10:23 AM	#8
Hammer755 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,348	I saved the best for last. Attached Images

05-26-2004, 11:03 AM	#9
jaxmagicman Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Retired defloration-maker living in Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 7,801	Chicks dig the Long Ball. I guess he is working on that, since his pitching is going. __________________ See ID Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with the permission of Minor League Baseball. All rights reserved.

05-26-2004, 02:06 PM	#10
Dwolfson20 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Not St. Louis Posts: 2,872	Nice pics. __________________

05-26-2004, 07:45 PM	#12
dougaiton Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Location: Posts: 3,414	Nice stuff H. Next time, just look Dusty straight in the eyes and say 'I'm your cousin now too. I married this guy in Massachusetts'. Works every time. __________________ tThis shower of clowns My park-adjusted, historically split Born in '69 league file! (also at Joe's wonderful site +BBSC)