Pregame:
This hasn’t been the best of weeks for me. Rain has gotten in the way of a couple visits to Great American Ball Park, and I, in a weak moment, turned off Thursday night’s game against the Washington Nationals in a moment of disgust, before the improbable Reds’ comeback in the bottom of the 11th.
On Saturday night, my best friend Rob and his girl were going to go to the game against the surging Philadelphia Phillies. They already had tickets in the front of section 102 in left-center field. With the Reds drawing about the same number of people as a Bowling Green women's basketball (that joke is for Suss), I thought I would meet them down there and have absolutely no trouble sitting by them.
It spat rain the entire day, and the Doppler radar did not look promising. Up until the very last minute, I contemplated backing out. I don’t know what it was, but something was holding me back.
I finally decided to hedge my bets and head down to the Queen City. It continued to rain the entire way there. I pulled into the city and turned to park in my usual spot on the street a couple of blocks from the stadium but all the spots were taken. It’s engrained in me as a Sandwasher to avoid paying for parking at all costs. Something is in my chemical makeup to avoid paying to park. I furiously drove around the city for the next twenty minutes like Michael Douglas in Falling Down. I finally had to bite the bullet and pay to park. Somebody was going to pay!
The lack of parking did not clue me on the next few negative chain of events.
Still oblivious, as I ran to the stadium, I could not help but notice a remarkable (for the Reds) number of people walking up to the stadium as the game was about to begin. I assumed it was due to the rain and the newly implemented Saturday 6:10 starts.
I scurried to the ticket window, and as usual, asked for the cheapest ticket ($5). Like I’ve mentioned before, with the lack of fan support, virtually every seat in the stadium is fair game, so it would be unwise to spend top-dollar on a ticket. I learned that the Reds had sold out both the $5 dollar seats and the bleacher seats ($9). I was stupefied. I ended up paying $12 to get into the game and I had to pay $5 for parking. Typically, I can get in and out of the city minus $5. Today, I had already exceeded that figure by $12 and I had not gotten anything cool out of it.
Article comments
1 - Justene
See now, I thought I was the only one who started rooting for a nohitter at the first out.
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
Funny, I thought it was already jinxed when his uniform said "PHILLIES"
3 - Reid Smith
Are you nuts? What were you thinking? I can't even allow myself to move when I'm watching a no-no at home. In the 3rd innings. Thanks a lot, man.
-Reid
4 - M.D. Sandwasher
Reid-
I will live with this moment of shame for the rest of my life. I wish I had a reasonable excuse.
5 - Yeags
My girlfriend and I saw Kevin Millwood's no hitter in the last year of Veteran's Stadium. It is a moment I shall never forget.
I mention this because in the 4th inning she spilled nacho cheese all over herself (the nachos were purchased in the second inning... I'd say before the 5th inning, at which point the game is official, it is okay to move, but Reid suggests 3 is the max). She did not move because she knew she could not screw with the no-no.
I point this out because even the casual fan, who you mock for showing up to get their figurines, has more sense. Shame on you. ;P
6 - Phillip Winn
It was the power of the bobble-head. Dunn was fated. Go easy on yourself.
7 - M.D. Sandwasher
Thanks for the encouragement Phillip. I'm greatly appreciative.
I hope I was not the sole reason for the end of the no-hitter. It's just hard to think positive at a time like this.
By the way, I really enjoyed listening to your podcasts.
8 - Matthew T. Sussman
Congratulations, I chose this story as an editor's pick of the week.
Now you are entitled a pick of your own from all stories published May 24-30. E-mail Lisa McKay (address is on the editor's pick page) with your pick by next Tuesday.
Again, congratulations.
--Suss
9 - tom
Don't worry Uncle Charlie has ruined more Phillies games than you can count....