Just another day at the ballpark

Well, didn’t screw that one up too badly, did I?

Nice easy afternoon game, obvious story line and no deadline issues. Yeah, this gig as a part-time affair isn’t that bad at all.

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Okay, so, Fenway Park?

Truth be told, a bit underwhelming, actually.

Oh yeah, it’s nice and green and tiny and historic and all that. Yawkey Way’s pretty cool, the neighbourhood’s got some spots that look like they’d be fun to hang out in and having the Dixieland Band playing in the street before the game was neat.

But the dang place was built in 1912, it’s cramped, a bit smelly, very crowded and if they could somehow replicate the highlights like the Green Monster and the quirky right field corner in some new joint with more washrooms, larger concourses and more amenities, that’d be about perfect.

As it is, I’m glad I’ve seen it, it was nice to wander around the area again and maybe if I’m back in Boston some summer day I’ll get to a game and sit in the stands. But I’m not sure I’d schedule anything like that.

Personally, I’ll take Wrigley over this one any old day of the week and will continue to lament the passing of old Tiger Stadium, which remains my gold standard in aged ballyards.

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Hey!

A snippet of Raptors news!

Well, less than a snippet, actually, but if you’re wondering when any “restructuring” of the front office may occur, I’ve been led to believe by people who would know that nothing is close to imminent and we’re looking at August, most likely.

There is still no firm and public plan to what things might look like under some new system; I know Bryan has said he’d like to find someone to slide into a senior management position – perhaps with a title of general manager or somesuch – but that’s a search that takes some time.

And with nothing going on like Summer League (hear the Hallelujeh chorus playing in the background still?) or free agent or any of that messy stuff, why not take some time and relax instead of forcing the issue.

And now that I’ve fulfilled some odd obligation to provide a wee bit of Raptors …

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One thing they do at Fenway that’s really good?

That whole “let’s sing Sweet Caroline” in the eighth inning is pretty neat.

I know it can’t be truly replicated now anywhere and try as they might have, Jack and Matt couldn’t get the Raptors crowd into it with nearly the same fervor but it’s one of those cool sporting traditions that pop up out of nowhere and kind of mean something.

No, I didn’t sing. Like cheering, there’s no warbling in the press box.

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Anybody watch that game yesteraday?

Kevin Youkilis gets drilled by a pitch in the back – seemed to hit him right about the 2 on his 21 jersey – and, I swear, he went down like HWSNBN.

Kinda made an interloper feel at home.

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Hmm, I see by checking over at FIBA that the juniors drilled Egypt by 20 this morning – Kevin Pangos went for 22, Olivier Hanlan of Gatineau had 16 – and now they finish the second round with Serbia tomorrow.

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Mighty Rockies routed Some Dastardly Team 16-7 Monday night.

We are rolling over there in the Mississauga North Bantam House League and you need to get on the bandwagon now before it gets full.

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Let’s get this one out of the mail ‘cause it has to do with the Raptors and I’m sure some of you care at least a little bit:

Q: Is there any final word on Johnny Davis joining the Raptor's coaching staff?

James M, Halifax

A: No, nothing yet. I imagine it’ll happen – I’ve been hearing his name since Dwane got hired – but why do it now?

Why add assistants in a lockout when no one can do any coaching? I know this sounds a bit cold but why take on salary when the people you’re hiring can’t actually do anything?

Now, they may, in fact, get it done in the next little while but if I’m running the show, I wait until at least August, and maybe September, before I start spending.

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Hey, know who was at the park yesterday?

Luis Tiant!

Yeah, looks good, wasn’t smoking a foot-long cigar, which was disappointing, but I bet he’s crafty enough that he could go out and get a guy out today if he had to.

As some of you may know, there was a time when the Red Sox were big favourites in this corner and I’d put Tiant right up there with Yaz, Bill Lee, Freddy Lynn and Fisk as the all-time faves.

Of course, I never saw Ted Williams play. Wish I had but …

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So, at the moment – and this could change any time now – Travis Snider is my favourite Jay not named John McDonald.

Four of us wander into the clubhouse about three hours before game time – three of the regulars are leading me to the easy, early story – and here comes Snider.

He sees some familiar faces – mine not among them, of course – and stops to say high and shake hands with all of us. I could have been from Mars or something but I got the same treatment there, and in the dugout when we’re doing an interview, as guys who actually work the beat.

Made a guy feel a bit at home.

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You know what’s terribly disconcerting?

Sitting in the media dining room at Fenway having a very good lunch while all the TVs are showing the pre-game show from the gross and disgusting hot dog eating contest at Coney Island that’s apparently as big a July 4 tradition as fireworks.

And of all the stuff they put on TV that allegedly passes for “entertainment” that has to rank right up there with the worst of ‘em. Kinda made a guy feel nauseous.

Some “reality” needs not be broadcast around the world.

Especially when I’m eating, thank you very much.

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Comments

[sam]

I've always wanted to go the Fenway, but was a little afraid it's legend wouldn't meet expectations. Sure is pretty on the tube though....
Old Tiger Stadium had it's charms - Only time I was there I had obstructed view seats and a die hard Tigers fan who seemed to mind when I leaned over into thier space.....
Nice job covering the game - a pretty good game where the Jays almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory - At times it seems no lead is safe with these guy....

I'm not sure if the irregular's would agree, but I miss the NBA free agent shopping spree - - - -

[Joe]

Hi Doug,

Glad you enjoyed your day at Fenway. Few questions:

1. Do management & coaches, who are under contract, still get paid during a lockout, unlike the players?
2. Given the need for a free agency period and a bit of a training camp, what's the latest this lockout can go before the season would be in jeopardy of cancellation?
3. You mentioned old Tiger Stadium as your favourite ballpark, do you like any of the newer ballparks that have been built in the last 10-15 years like Camden Yards or the new Yankee Stadium?

Thanks and have a good day.

Blogger's note: There really is a mailbag for this kind of stuff, we're far more quick-hit here. So ...
Yes, at least the start of 2012, and yes

[Dennis]

Mr.Smith.....with a roster of only 15 players, why do the Raps need so many executives ?...

Blogger's note: One has nothing to do with the other, actually

[Lorie]

Morning Doug!
If anyone is interested in catching (as in while you're supposed to be working) the Lithuania-US U-19 Game, here is a not-too-bad livestream link: (start of 4th right now) http://www.lrytas.lt/videonews/live/
Cheers! And good stuff from Boston!

[MB]

Hey Doug. We were there at Fenway with you yesterday. Also our first time there. I actually loved the stadium, mostly for its intimacy and the excellent sightlines. And the atmosphere is unbelievable especially when I compare it to the 3/4 empty dome. Wish I would have seen you at Yawkey, we would have said hello.

I was most impressed by the hospitality and knowledge of the Red Sox fans. I thought our lives (or at least our fragile egos) would have been at risk but everyone was friendly and interested in the strange couple in the Jays jerseys. Most importantly, the fans had a certain "maturity" - they cheered their team even when down 7-0 and had a positive attitude throughout. No chants to trade the whole team or fire the coach because of one bad game. Maybe that's a function of winning but us Raptors fans could learn a thing or two from these fans.

Anyways thanks for sharing tour POV on fenway. Did you catch the fireworks last night? The Americans sure know how to celebrate a holiday.

[E. Scrooge]

Oh boy! Shopping for another big cranium for the Raptor's front office? Seriously? I'll order my playoff tickets immediately.

I'll retire to bedlam.

[Mike]

I've always found the Sweet Caroline thing a little cheesy to be honest. To each their own I suppose. Nothing's worse than when they all yell "youuuuuuuuuuuuu" when Youkilis is at the plate though.

[charles]

Good work in Boston, Doug, with that other game of spheroids.
When you get a chance, help us understand what modern labour negotiations mean in pro sports. For example what would Curt Flood have said about the current impasse in NBA? About former NFL players being cut out of current negotiations in their sport? Many of us would have it that these players are employees too- they have rights, hard earned rights, not that dissimilar, at least with a similar history, from others with union history. What is the bigger picture here? Your feelings as a beat grunt?

[Bill V]

Didn't they JUST finish renovating Fenway, and it's still a dump? Wow... Also, just so you know, there has been quite a bit of conversation out of Chicago to demolish what has been called many times the worst stadium in baseball (in terms of facilities and amenities) Wrigley field. I would have thought at this point Fenway would be in better condition then Wrigley...well I do think that Fenway is in better condition. I like Fenway's personality more then Wrigley, but that's just me.

Are you covering for Griffin while he's on vacation or something like that?

Blogger's note: Just helping out at a tough time in the sked; the regulars will be back Thursday

[Cluck Kent]

But I really liked summer league...it was, you know, basketball...sort of.

[smitty seven]

Hello:
Sorry if this has been asked before and I missed it.
Do the players under contract actually lose the money they should have earned for the duration of the lockout-or do they make equal pay just divided into smaller periods.thanks

Blogger's note: They lose money

[Mike kovacs]

I did a tour of Fenway 2 yrs ago on an off day. Got to go in the press box. The seats behind home plate are ancient and very narrow. The were cutting the grass as we walked in and the smell of the fresh-cut grass gave it an added ambience that added much to the experience.

[doug]

good article yesterday on Snider, you made the transition nicely your now a 2 sport man up their with Deion and Bo..@MB I guess you missed all the Red Sox fans booing Lackey unmercifully..@BillV there is no talk whatsoever of tearing down Wrigley they want to do a reno, I love Wrigley Field and the area surrounding it.....it to me far exceeds Fenway, I was there once for a game and was totally underwhelmed no desire whatsoever to return.....and old Tiger Stadium was a good one it could have should have been saved and still in use...don't know if anyone has ever been to a game at the old or new Comiskey but that is a experience, you get to your car fast after the game no dawdling, and the "high rises" around them with boarded up windows that have been shot-out where people still live "the projects" tells you all you need to know...but a good ball park as well...nothing like spending a hot summer day in a ball park..

[Jim Rootham]

Have you seen http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/calling-foul-on-n-b-a-s-claims-of-financial-distress/" Nate Silver on NBA finances?

Nate is a high credibility writer. He does understand numbers.

[J.r]

Jonnas had a big game in the under 18 fiba last night

18 points and 13 rebounds with 3 blocked shots

I know its not against NBA level talent but the kid can play

[doug]

JV had a better game today against the Americans a real humdinger and he had 30 and 15 or something like that with 4 blocks...he has quick feet and is athletic for a big man, he looks like a player....you know who else looks like a player a real natural is this Thames kid with the jays , he just looks good with a bat in his hands and swings naturally, he's a keeper...

[Dave]

Doug, you nailed the baseball piece! Is there anything you can't do?

[Brad]

re: hot dog eating contest
What's worse is that in the Globe at least, it was reported in the Sports section!

[Jacques]

Doug, I read the article the other day in The Star on Adam Lind. Since he is married to a local, Can he be apart of of Canadian Baseball Team??

Blogger's note: No clue

[ikonn]

Doug, at what stage does the skydome become an aged stadium? Or is it there already?

@Dave
Q. "Doug, you nailed the baseball piece! Is there anything you can't do?"

A. Win a hot dog eating competition.

[Matt G]

My only experience at Fenway was similar to @MB's. The stadium left a little bit to desire but the smell of freshly cut grass, great sightlines (unlike Tiger Stadium, there are fewer columns to obstruct your view), ushers who take you to your seat, and super fans made it a super memorable experience. To top it off, the Boston fans gave the Twin's Gary Gaetti two standing ovations and a curtain call. Gotta love any fans who appreciate super efforts from opposing players - he started two around the horn triple plays so they had good reason.

[The J]

I love Fenway, but to be honest it's all nostalgia, history and not much else. Truth be told, if you remove those aspects, it's a dilapidated (Sp?) shack. But I do have two great memories of the stadium. One was a similar to tour to the one Mike Kovacs mentioned, which was followed by torrential rain. We sat in the stands as it poured down on us and the Boston faithful chanted "Yankee's Suck". Mostly impressive that they toughed it out just to chant about their Yankee hate, especially considering the team was playing Texas that night. Eventually we caved and left to the concourse for dryer land, only to find that water from the stands was pouring in and was now filling the concourse with water that was well above our knees. Needless to say the game was cancelled, and we never got the money back since we bought from scalpers. But somehow it was worth it.

My other memory was a little more smooth and yet just as entertaining. It was a close game, but it looked like Cleveland would take it. Until a rally in the ninth that was finished by none other than Big Papi himself with a walk-off home run. As a Jays fan I wanted them to lose, but it was worth it just for the experience of walking down the streets near the stadium while people continued to go between chants of "M-V-P" and "PAPI! PAPI!". I've never had an experience that rivaled that at the dome, that's for sure.

I also remember the kettle corn in the stadium is amazing, and that there is a really cool bar right there that only serves beer and had many unique selections (I believe I tried a watermelon beer).

[Some Guy]

Sorry, but as much as I love where the TOD is headed, we silly Raptors fans do need one or two highlights (reads: things to get excited about) from time-to-time (particularly within the confines of a blog with the URL: thestar.blogs.com/RAPTORS/)

As such (while of course noting that this is the Under 19 World Championships), I give you the tournament player ranked:
No. 1 in Points per Game
No. 1 in Rebounds per Game
No. 1 in Blocks per Game
No. 3 in Field Goal %
No. 6 in Free Throw %
(Despite only being 26th in Minutes per Game)

our very own Jonas Valanciunas!
(http://latvia2011.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/11/fu19m/statistics/p/top-players.html)

Now, if he could only quit shooting 58% from the floor, 80% from the line and dish out 10 assists per game instead, we might actually have a keeper. But alas, he's only a scoring/rebounding/shot-blocking centre. Who wants / needs those? They are a dime a dozen... ;)

P.S. Nice work on the yesterday's article, BTW. Perhaps you still have that future as a seamhead that you've always lusted after. You'll just have to figure out a way to get that pesky Griffin, out of the way! (Though that would be a shame, given that he writes a tremendous blog himself...)

[MB]

@doug: there were a smattering of boos for Lackey but it was hardly merciless. I'm imagining what I see every time I'm at the ACC and Bargs misses two shots in a row... Lackey got off way easier than that while giving up 7 runs quickly in 4 innings.

The point made here by others (and our favourite Beat Grunt) about the concession/back of house areas being a dump are totally fair though. I'd still rather have this than the Dome though.

[bob]

Doug, I wish you were covering the Royal Visit.... Does every change of clothes need a headline????

I would rather read your take on the Royals than the Jays