I really wasn’t able to work on WordPress 3.0, release a new plugin, and/or expand the media feature I wanted to implemented on my site. I did however enjoy the many pleasures of life celebrating my birthday with a friend in the city, go to my friend’s (not the same friend that went to the baseball game and Iron Man 2) wedding in Boston, and then also going to see Iron Man 2 with the same friend. However, the pros in this case ruled in the case because I was glad to spend time not worrying about anything for a little while.

Ending the weekend with even the Yankees taking two out of three at Fenway park (They are still playing tonight’s game, but they are losing big time tonight) is even a highlight of this week. So I end this note packing my bags and ready to head to bed. I have a 4am ride into the city for an 8am flight back to MSP.

Update: After dinner, I was surprised with an Angel Food Cake from Mom and Sis because they didn’t spend my birthday with me. I was very surprised to say the least. Sis was being a sleuth keep me from knowing she was looking for candles when I went to the basement to get laundry.

Angel Food Cake

NY… see ya on May 28th!

Getting up in the morning was no problem for me. Minus the fact that it was raining, I didn’t mind. For only 4 times in 28 years has it raining on my birthday, and I like keep the record high, but yesterday was no usual statistic allowing it to fall in the ‘rain’ column. It cleared up even way before I headed on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) for the city in the early afternoon. By the time I got to the city and started walking around though it was hot and humid, but still had a nice slight breeze.

After taking the Subway to Grand Central, I walked back to Times Square and then with a peaceful stroll to Rockefeller Center. Cooling down (sorta) in a deli was a nice treat because at that point I was getting hot. Heading over towards 3rd ave was the next destination, but as I was heading over the clouds started ‘darkening’ up and while I was at 57th and 3rd, the rain started to come down and then a bit afterwords it was a downpour. Retreating into another deli for some more shelter was in order. Surprisingly it was the same deli I have stopped in a dozen time more before when I was working in the summer for the Hampton Jitney. With it being close to 5pm (the time the gates opened up at Yankees Stadium) I got on the 6 train at the 68th hunter station and transferred to the 4 on 86th street getting off at 161 and first – Yankees Stadium.

Yankees Batting Practice

Going by the old hollow grounds of old Yankees Stadium were realized when all I saw was rubble in the area of the old foot print. There was only the first base side grandstand framework still standing tall in the area. More than likely because it is so near the tracks of the subway that they need extra precautions to make sure when they take it down so it doesn’t intertwine with the rail lines.

I got to the stadium so early that it took all of 5 minutes from Subway to the entrance of the game. Usually it’s a bit longer, but in this case it was really quick. Once in the stadium, I headed to Monument park. It was the first time going to this monument park because all the other times the park was already closed by the time I got there. Next stop, as usual, was the Yankees on-site Museum because I wanted to see this past’s years World Series Trophy. I was trying to imaging another one in there. There is no more room in the glass case that they are stored in. Checking out the signed balls of that were there was another interesting thing as I love to do. Looking at some of the signatures is amazing. After that it was time to find my seats.

I got tickets to sit in the main level of the stadium. The view was amazing. The exact area was Section 215, Row 7. That put us directly in the baseline of first base and second. A few rows in front of me was the camera well of the first base side. You wouldn’t believe on how much footage comes from the main section camera wells and the outfield cameras. The field level cameras are rarely used for action shots on the field since players usually block line of sight to other things going on the field.

The Camera Well

Batter's Box Area View

The most annoying this about sitting here was that there was a fan with a huge sign sitting right behind the right camera position always raising the sign even during the game. I wouldn’t have mind when there was no action or base runners on 1st base. Oh well. Otherwise the view was perfect. You could see every part of the field perfectly without any obstructions. Even the right field corner you could see without any problems. While the game was pretty mundane even up to the point of the Baltimore Orioles scoring first off CC Sabathia, the crowed got really wild after Randy Winn (#22) hit his first home run for the Yankees in the bottom of the 4th inning to give the yankees 3 more runs securing the 4 to 1 victory over the birds in a short 2 hour and 30 minute (give or take) game.

Scoreboard View from Section 215

Press Area from Section 215

Getting back was even simpler. Getting to the game is always cramped with people because night games usually have the game traffic plus people heading home for the night and last night was no different. But leaving I was prepared for the worst when it came to leaving the area. Getting back on the 4 train it was surprisingly empty when the train arrived and it just us Yankee fans getting on plus it being an express train (which means it only stops at major transfer points) means it was relativity light ride to 42nd – Grand Central station. Getting off and taking the shuttle to the Time Square stop was the destination as I needed to head to the west side to Penn station. It being such a nice evening, I left the rail lines and decided to walk outside the rest of the way to Penn station down 7th, but before stopping in Times Square at night to take in all the lights and sounds of NYC. I love the new walking area. Getting at Penn Station at 10:32pm the 10:44pm train for Ronkonkoma station (where I left the car in the afternoon) was still there and hitching a ride on this train vs. the planed 11:14pm train made up for the late night. Taking a quick nap on the train ride was essential for me making it all the way back to my apartment which was 30 minutes from the station.

Getting back so late it was easy to fall asleep since I had been up since 7am (normal time for my body to wake up now) so I quickly fell asleep realizing that I was no more than 10 minutes into a movie I put on to sleep to.

I would categorize yesterday’s activities to one of the best birthday’s and nights that I have ever had. Everything was perfect. I could not have asked for a better day. Next thing on my ‘to do’ list: Best Friend’s Wedding in Boston.

Till next time…

After the Angles hand the Yankees walking papers in game 3 and 5 in LA, I thought for sure LA got the best of us but our starting pitching got us through the entire season.

So lets recap my predictions (fail).

NLDS

• COL vs. PHI – I thought PHI would win in 4; PHI did win in 4. :check:
• STL vs. LAD – LAD I thoguht would win in 5; LAD sweep. :fail:

NLCS

• PHI vs. LAD – I thought LAD would win in 6; PHI won in 5. :fail:

ALDS

• BOS vs. LAA – I thought BOS would win in 5; LAA sweep. Double :fail:
• MIN vs. NYY – I thought NYY would win in 4; NYY sweep. :fail:

ALCS

• BOS vs. NYY – First of all, I thought it was going to be LAA and not BOS. NYY no matter what would win in 6; We did over LAA. :fail: and :check:

World Series

• LAD vs. NYY
  • LAD is out. PHI is in. :fail:
  • NYY wins.. :tbd:

So not bad, but still some wrong things. Baseball is like that. Really unpredictable. Great baseball all around. Oh yeah. TBS should not broadcast sports. Fox should get rid of McCarver. CBS Stearling full of win!

• PHI vs. LAD – The only game that I was correct that it would take 4 games.
• LAA vs. NYY – Who knew both teams were going to sweep!

The Yankees are still on track to face LAD in the World Series, but something I didn’t think of before. We could have either an East Coast Series with the NYY playing PHI or a West Coast (Highway) Series with LAD vs. LAA. However it could still be a mix of both West and East coast teams.

Game 1 of the NLCS is Thursday on TBS and on Friday it’s Game 1 of the ALCS on Fox. More great baseball on it’s way!

I watched the LAD sweep STL and after watching the batting styles of LAD, they are going to be a tough team to beat in a 7 game NLCS or WS. However, LAD pitching is still shaky compared to NYY’s 1-2-3 punch. NYY Game 3 pitching duel with MIN was a gem. Pettitte pitched like it was 1998 and even A-Rod came out in a clutch again. MIN failed in the running part of this game.

I am really surprised by BOS being sweeped by LAA without even winning at home. Tough break for the BOS team, but they were not playing their best at the end of the season; even being sweeped again against NYY at NYY.

Now it’s off to the ALCS on FOX. _{And yes.. I didn’t like the TBS broadcasters and style. They didn’t know anything!}

Lets just say that the AL Central race was also crazy. Who would ever predicated that it go to 163 games and the winner of Detriot vs. Twins would come down to one game. Hats off to the Twins! 12 innings. Walk off fashion! Instant Classic!

So what’s in store and how do I think it’s going to play out? Find out!

My 2009 Baseball Predictions

I think the most obvious you see here is that I pick the Yankees to win it all, and that’s because I am a true Yankee fan. This team has the same spirit as the 1996 World Series Team.

NLDS

• STL vs. LAD – LAD in 5 Games – I think the game between the LAD and STL will happen the full 5 games of the series. Both teams are very good and are equal in pretty much all aspects of the game, but I think LAD has a slight edge at home field which gives them the win.
• COL vs. PHI – PHI in 4 Games – While the Rockies the the underdog again in this postseason (who knew that even make it to the World Series vs. BOS) I don’t think they can defeat the PHI in a 3 game sweep, but I do think they will be able to stick around because of the small ball they play.

NLCS

• PHI vs. LAD – LAD in 6 Games – With the cross-crossing the country to play games 1 and 2 first in LAD and then heading to PHI for games 3, 4, and 5 – each team will feel the fatigue. LAD still have the advantage when they win game 5 and fly back to LAD for game 6 in which they will win the series and head to the World Series.

ALDS

• BOS vs. LAA – BOS in 5 Games – While LAA has been dominate over the entire season, BOS has LAA number when it comes to playing the game. BOS will be able to adapt really quickly to LAA defence style if they lose the first game out in LAA. LAA has not been able to win important games at BOS. The Green Monster seems to have their number. (Yes. I am putting on my BOS cap for these games.)
• MIN vs. NYY – NYY in 4 Games – While I see NYY being able to beat MIN, NYY pitcher A.J. Burnett is a Wild Card when it comes to becoming consistant. While MIN does have Joe Mouer, I don’t think the pitchers for MIN can beat the A-List rotation. MIN also had to travel to NYY after a very long battle.

ALCS

• BOS vs. NYY – NYY in 6 Games – Yes. Another rivalry match between BOS and NYY. NYY was pure dominated at the end of the season and was able to keep BOS at bay turning the tables playing small ball and stealing on the old age and slow defence of BOS.

World Series

I can not wait for the LAD vs. NYY games. NYY will win the game, but having Joe Torre come back to Yankee Stadium to face his former team and players he managed will be quite interesting. This match up has been predicted for months. I still think NYY has the advantage over LAD pitching staff, but of course LAD has no DH once they play in LAD which puts the NYY in trouble.

Direct from MLB.com:

The Elimination Number for any team is determined by adding their number of losses to the number of wins for the team leading the division, and subtracting that total from 163. The Elimination Number for the second place team is the “Magic Number” for the first place team.

Elimination have started. The only other team close to being eliminated at this point is the Nationals, but other teams like the Pirates and Padres are very close as well. Most of the AL teams minus the Orioles have at least 10+ games needed before they are eliminated.

Just as I was posting this… the standings page has updated to indicate such. Hats off to the Orioles! I visited you once season!

Update 9/2/09: With the National’s lost last night, they are also now eliminated from the division officially. Most people didn’t think they had a shot anyways at the start of the season.

Click here for a recap of the game on MLB.com.

With Bostons 4 straight losses they have tied themselves with Texas in the AL wild card. And Detroit right now seems to be holding onto the AL Central lead.

Post season baseball is right around the corner and I plan on posting my predictions soon! Be on the look out!

Update: I just found out they LOST AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!