My first foul ball (with an *)

[BuzzBuzzard]

Yesterday, Mex :guapo: and I were at Shea to see if the Mets could extend to four games. Preston Wilson took care of that idea, but I did come away with my first foul ball. We were sitting just over the screen and right below the WFAN broadcast booth. Alfonzo put a Dempster offering right into the booth and Bob Murphy leaned out to give the souvenir to the crowd. He clearly spotted a cute 7 year old blond girl, but he did not anticipate the reach of my long gangly arms. I did feel somewhat embarassed afterwards that I and not the little girl was leaving with the ball (should have seen the looks her old man was giving me), but as :guapo: pointed out, I will never see that girl or her father again and I am a seven year old at heart.

I had previously only left the park with a BP HR hit by Greg Vaughn last year, but I made a hell of a catch just inside the fair pole on that one.

[NetShrine]

Dog! :nono:

At this stage in my life, I always say, if I catch a foul ball, I'm going to find the nearest kid and hand it to them. At my age, if I want a baseball, I can buy one. (Rules change if I have a kid - then, obviously, they get the ball.) Buzz - you did the opposite!

Thanks for clearing up the Vaughn ball mystery for me. Mex mentioned to me last week that you two were "playing around with Greg Vaughn's ball in the living room" and, well, I just imagined something else. :D

JP Alex actually has something similar to this thread on his site (baseballink.com) which I posted to many moons ago - - let me copy and paste it here next.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by NetShrine
let me copy and paste it here next.

Funny - it was almost a year to the day that I added this to JP's site:

Here's my foul ball story:

This is an "almost" story. The year was probably 1978? Me, and my friends (Mario and Bernie) were going to a Twins-Yankees DH. At the last minute, Bernie could not go. He asked "Would you take my kid sister Liz in my place?" So, we did. We sat through the first game - nothing special. But, for some reason (maybe because we were just silly kids?) we decided to switch seats for the 2nd game (with Liz and I swapping chairs). Well, that was stupid. Late in the 2nd game, Carew came on as a PH against Gossage - and sliced a foul right into Elizabeth's lap (an absolute gimmie). She got the ball - which would have been mine had we not switched seats. Oh well, at least I have this stupid story. (Imagine? A ball thrown by the Goose and hit by Rod Carew!)

[Jen]

Way to go, Buzz! I like the way Mex thinks! :D

[Shel]

Shame on you, Buzz! :eek:

But congrats anyway. In all honesty, I might have done the same thing...as long as I didn't risk breaking a fingernail to catch that ball! ;)

[BuzzBuzzard]

I relayed this story to my family at a BBQ on Sunday. My brother, who is single and without children was completely supportive of my actions. My parents and sisters (all of whom have kids) have excommunicated me from my family.

[ChrisCary]

If I catch it it's mine, when I have a kid, I'll give them up to the kid.
If someone is clearly trying to give it to the kid, well that's be like stealing candy from a baby except that it's a baseball instead of candy.

Hey Buzz,
When they pass the hotdogs down the aisl do you take a bite?
Help yourself to someones change?

[BuzzBuzzard]

In all fairness to me, there was a ton of kids and a few other adults. I think Murphy did target this one particular girl, but basically it was a jump ball. It just helped that I am 6'2". I did not yank it away from her.

I don't bite the dogs, but I do take a pull off a full beer.

[Jen]

Hey, better the little girl learn now that life isn't always fair, right? I bet she's forgotten all about it by now anyway...at least, for your sake, Buzz, I hope she has. It didn't have her name on it, ya know. Of course, it always makes me mad when you see a ball being tossed towards a group of kids on tv and some guy grabs it right in front of them. I guess I'm torn on the issue...

:rolleyes:

[Mexicani Blue]

Not that I am defending Buzz, but I am defending him (a bit). He wasn't the only adult in the group. There was a little boy to my left and he was with his dad. The little girl was in front of us and she was with her dad. There were a few other adults without children (similar to Buzz and I) and they were also in the mix.

One point that Buzz failed to mention is that there is little height differential between me and the little kids in the group. He may be 6' 2", but his wife is a mere 5' 0". So maybe Murph mistook my dwarfism for that of a child?? (Ok, a stretch).

Mex :guapo:

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
My parents and sisters (all of whom have kids) have excommunicated me from my family.

Probably long over due. :)
What was the Groucho line about clubs?

Just remember, when that little girl grows up, and heads to the bell tower with her rifle, she'll be aiming at men wearing Mets' hats. I will have no fear that day.

[willyg]

You've got to be shitting me buzz. You stole a ball that was marked for a little kid? :eek2: You can't do that.

Do you know how much that ball would have meant to that kid? Sure five years from now that ball would be either lost, or sitting in a closet somewhere, but that's not the point.

Fifteen years ago when I was like ten or so it would have been the thrill of a lifetime to catch a ball, now if I got one I would unless it had significance of some sort I would probably give it to some little kid. Granted it would help the kid if he was there with his sister and she was hot.

Stealing a ball from a little girl.

That ball definately deserves the *****

[BuzzBuzzard]

I didn't knock her over or push her out of the way. It was a jump ball. That ball would already have lost its significance to that girl. It is still meaningful to me.

'Net, please close this thread. I'm sorry I opened my big mouth and tired of defending myself.

[NetShrine]

Buzz - don't have ANY regrets. Bottom line, if you're OK, what does it matter what anyone else thinks? Nada amigo.

Thread closed.
If you still not comfortable with it, let me know (via PM) and I will delete it completely. Thanks.

[NetShrine]

Re-opened, as requested.

[Jen]

Boy, that was fast...make up your mind, will ya??? :D

[BuzzBuzzard]

Thanks Net. I needed an opportunity to restore my masculinity. I was right and screw that kid. Taught her a valuable lesson in life (not sure what, but I am sure there was one).

At least I did not taunt her with, Nananananana I got the baaalll.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
Thanks Net. I needed an opportunity to restore my masculinity

By continuing the story of your ball snatching exploits? :D

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by NetShrine


By continuing the story of your ball snatching exploits? :D Flip it around and I am balling snatch, my friend.:cool:

[Jen]

As much as I'd like to make some inane comment about keeping your day job, I must admit, that one was a: He shoots, he scores!!! kind of comeback. :loud: (Sorry Buzz, and I still agree with you about keeping the ball.)

[BuzzBuzzard]

Thanks for your support Jen. Travel safe and we'll chat with you soon.

[ChrisCary]

Thanks for opening it back up, I can kick the Met fan a bit more.

Seriously Buzz,

You didn't do anything wrong. Everyone is reacting to the part that the little girl was supposed to get it, but she'd have been happier with a cotton candy and her father would have ended up with your ball and some fish story about how he got it.

[BuzzBuzzard]

I am starting to see you in whole new light, Chris. As :guapo: would say, Gracias mi amigo.

I guess now is not a good time to mention that I really hope Clemens pitches in Shea, huh?

[ChrisCary]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
I really hope Clemens pitches in Shea, huh?

We agree on that, but possibly for different reasons

[willyg]

Sorry I brought this one back from the dead, I normally just concern myself with the current events section. I was board so I started looking around.

Did you do anything wrong? No.

Would I have booed you if I was there? Absolutely.

If I was that girls father would I have given you deathly looks? Hell Yea.

Will you ever get a reply from me of "At least I didn't steal some little girl's ball" if you back me into a corner on some topic. Bet your Ass!

I'm gald you kept this open, showed your a good sport.:D

Besides, what are we going to say to you, Mets Suck?

[NetShrine]

Ah, Buzzstock - where they only thing thicker than the mud is love................

[willyg]

I want the Rocket Man pitching at Shea as well. Let the Mets and their fans have their little fun. What is Kevin Appier or Trachel going to nail Roger? I doubt it, and if they do the fight will not be at the mound. It will be right at home plate with Roger and Piazza.

I was at that game last year, upper deck third base line, about a football field or so away from home plate. I shit you not it was loud. I originally thought it was a foul ball.

Enough bitching Mets fans, Piazza should have ducked.

[NetShrine]

Play nice kiddies - - - - don't get the Moderator do his thing............ :D

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by willyg

Besides, what are we going to say to you, Mets Suck? Would roll right off my back. I'll say it for you. Mets suck (although Piazza just hit a 469 bomb into the upper deck). It has raised my spirits a bit.

[NetShrine]

All - for the record, first sign of a:

Yankees rule, Mets suck
Mets rule, Yankees suck
back and forth, is warrant for an automatic closure.

Wanna do that? Go to the ESPN fanboy boards or something...............

thanks.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
Piazza just hit a 469 bomb into the upper deck. It has raised my spirits a bit.

Mets ended up losing this one, 5-3, no Buzz? What was it that you said in another thread :D

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
Funny how one man's :bawl: is another man's :p

[Jen]

Originally posted by NetShrine
All - for the record, first sign of a:

Yankees rule, Mets suck
Mets rule, Yankees suck
back and forth, is warrant for an automatic closure.

Wanna do that? Go to the ESPN fanboy boards or something...............

thanks.

The tribe leader has spoken. Hey guys, ya wanna get together and vote him off the island? :loud: (Sorry, Net, sometimes I have a problem with authority.) :) And why doesn't ESPN have fangirl boards? And it is ok to to post something like "I rule, everybody else sucks"? Or would that warrant an automatic :smash:? (Net, again, as you can see, I'm having difficulty expressing my sorrow for not being able to post all day, all week...forgive me.)

Thanks for the kind words, Buzz...I'll be back in action soon, I hope. Happy posting! :)

[NetShrine]

Trust me, I'm not trying to be a control freak. It's just that............

Yankees rule, Mets suck
Mets rule, Yankees suck

is what I call a fruitless and looping argument - which only results in each side getting :redhot: in the face.

To me, that's a bad thing for this forum.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by NetShrine


Mets ended up losing this one, 5-3, no Buzz? What was it that you said in another thread :D

Good grief. That bullpen could not get me out right now. That is 4 consecutive games the bullpen as lost a game for us.


Don't worry Net, I am not trying to promote a back and forth about Mets Suck Yankess are Great.

[Jen]

Originally posted by NetShrine
is what I call a fruitless and looping argument - which only results in each side getting :redhot: in the face.

To me, that's a bad thing for this forum.

Or in ChrisCary's case, red in the ass, right?

It most certainly is a bad thing for this forum, I'd hate to see it get that far (but it never will!)...you've assembled some of the most intelligent and mature (ahem, I'm not claiming that last one as my own!) baseball fans around, and I hope it keeps growing that way!

:beer: to you!

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by Jen
I hope it keeps growing that way!

Ditto - thanks!

[ChrisCary]

Originally posted by willyg
I was at that game last year, upper deck third base line, about a football field or so away from home plate. I shit you not it was loud. I originally thought it was a foul ball.



I was deep in the left field bleachers, a rugby field away and it WAS LOUD.


Side note:

At the end of his bullpen session he pitched twenty straight pitches up and in with a stand in batter.
It was his game plan going in, I knew it, Piazza should ave known it.
He pitched the same way to the first two batters

Concidentally I was at Game 2 of the WS also.
If he starts at Shea, I guess I'll have to go

[BuzzBuzzard]

Well now I am curious (and Net if you want to nip this in the bud and close it down, I will respect your decision), but are you saying, Chris, that Clemens did not intentionally hit Piazza? Was it intentional, but not intended for his head? Was it intentionally in the noggin? Was it an inside pitch that just got away from him?

[ChrisCary]

I think he intentionally through as high and tight as he could.

Have you ever thrwon a punch before you knew what you're doing?

I think what he did was similar.

I don't know that the pitch got physically away form him as much as I think it got mentally away from him.
We've al seen Clemens emotions get the better of him on more than one occasion.


I don't think anybody can debate that Clemens is expected to throw up and in to certain hitters.
He certainly practiced that pitch and he definetly through it twice before Piazza stepped in.

If the ball wizzed under Piazza's chin and he ogt out of the way, it would be a non issue (at least by now).

Four inches in another direction and it's a big hoopla, and Piazza didn't move as much as he could have or as much as others move. I'm not saying that it's Piazza's fault. But he stands close, dives in and hit's Clemens (and just about everyone else) very well.

Maybe it was a surprise that he got it in the head, but I don't think it should have been a surprise to anyone that he came high and tight.

I just can't stop thinking that it wasn't the pitch as much as the result.



I think he wanted to sit him down, not hit him in the head.
If he was intentionally beaning him I think he would have thownn between the numbers.
It's harder to aim and hit someone in the head than anywhere else, it's a small spot to aim at (smaller than a strike zone, with as much mobility as any limb, possibly more because it's not planted on the ground or holding a bat.




Anyway, I do hope he pitches at Shea.

I'l say this Buzz,

If the shoe was on the other foot and it was Benitez or Wendell I may feel the same way, but 'l also say this, If it was Leiter I'm not sure I'd be as upset.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Fair enough. I think it best we agree to disagree and move on.