Sunday, August 01, 2010

My day at Fenway

I went to the Tigers game at Fenway Park and it was a great day despite the outcome of the game.  First, I was interviewed before the game by Detroit Tigers broadcaster Dan Dickerson.  The interview was about my book Beyond Batting Average and baseball statistics in general.  It will be aired on Sunday's pre-game show (on WXYT in Detroit).  I think the interview went pretty well but I haven't heard it yet.  So, we'll see how it sounds.

I almost didn't make it.  First, there was a major delay on the subway.  Then, I was supposed to meet Dan at 2:00 but they wouldn't let fans in until 2:10.  I tried to tell Fenway security that I was supposed to be at an interview with the Tigers broadcaster at 2:00 but they either weren't buying it or didn't care.  Probably both.  I thought I was going to miss an opportunity I had been anticipating for a long time. 

Anyway, I finally got in the park and met Dan in the stands at about 2:20. I was a wreck at that point but Dan is the type of guy that puts you at ease right away.  So that helped a lot.  Still, I think I would have blanked out if I had not prepared so much ahead of time.

I also got a chance to meet Samara Pearlstein for the first time.  Many of you know her as the author of the great blog Roar of the Tigers.  She also did all the illustrations for my book.  I'm sure she will put up her usual photographs of the game and she even took a couple of me.  So, you will get to see my mustache for the first (and maybe last) time.  For one thing, it certainly isn't creating any good karma for the Tigers.

The best part of the actual viewing of the game was not surprisingly Miguel Cabrera.  He put on an awesome show in batting practice.  He even had the Red Sox fans cheering and he took a bow afterward.  He then hit a rocket in the first inning that cleared everything in left field.
Max Scherzer pitched a fine game as well.

Needless to say, the game did not end well.  Being surrounded by 30,000 hysterical Red Sox fans dancing and chanting "Papi Papi" for ten minutes after the game is an experience I would not wish on any Tigers fan!

Regardless, it was a good day at the ballpark.

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