Comments for Dana Brand's Mets Fan Blog http://danabrand.com/blog The blog that goes with metsfanbook.com and thelastdaysofshea.com Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:11:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 Comment on Getting in the Mood by MetsMom http://danabrand.com/blog/2010/02/19/getting-in-the-mood/comment-page-1/#comment-59811 MetsMom Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:11:56 +0000 http://danabrand.com/blog/?p=490#comment-59811 We couldn't wait any longer, so we stopped off in Port St. Lucie for a few days. It was so good to see the green fields and the boys in blue & orange! It always helps us to get through the last few weeks before opening day. The highlight this year was that we were able to see Sandy Koufax and the kids got his autograph. I thanked him for trying to help our pitchers! We were also able to watch and talk to some of the younger kids like Thole, Davis and Stoner. That's always fun. We still remember when we first started going to spring training and we were able to see the kids that everyone had been talking about - Wright and Reyes. At the end of every year, especially the last three, I look at my son and tell him that I don't know if I can do this again, I don't know if I can spend another 6+ months rooting for this team. It's too difficult, too emotional, and for what? Yet almost every year we go to spring training and we get excited about the new season. Go figure. Maybe I have a short memory, or maybe I'm just nuts. All I know is, I'm counting the days until opening day again. We couldn’t wait any longer, so we stopped off in Port St. Lucie for a few days. It was so good to see the green fields and the boys in blue & orange! It always helps us to get through the last few weeks before opening day. The highlight this year was that we were able to see Sandy Koufax and the kids got his autograph. I thanked him for trying to help our pitchers! We were also able to watch and talk to some of the younger kids like Thole, Davis and Stoner. That’s always fun. We still remember when we first started going to spring training and we were able to see the kids that everyone had been talking about – Wright and Reyes.

At the end of every year, especially the last three, I look at my son and tell him that I don’t know if I can do this again, I don’t know if I can spend another 6+ months rooting for this team. It’s too difficult, too emotional, and for what? Yet almost every year we go to spring training and we get excited about the new season. Go figure. Maybe I have a short memory, or maybe I’m just nuts. All I know is, I’m counting the days until opening day again.

]]> Comment on So Is Mr. Met Real? by R.Q. http://danabrand.com/blog/2010/03/02/so-is-mr-met-real/comment-page-1/#comment-59789 R.Q. Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:31:07 +0000 http://danabrand.com/blog/?p=499#comment-59789 Dana, As my good friend Whitney, a rabid Red Sox fan, would say: "Chahmin!" You handled that well. Your books are great, by the way. I recently devoured them. Ron Dana,

As my good friend Whitney, a rabid Red Sox fan, would say: “Chahmin!”
You handled that well.

Your books are great, by the way. I recently devoured them.

Ron

]]> Comment on So Is Mr. Met Real? by Vicki http://danabrand.com/blog/2010/03/02/so-is-mr-met-real/comment-page-1/#comment-59774 Vicki Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:24:03 +0000 http://danabrand.com/blog/?p=499#comment-59774 Dana, You are a real diplomat. Guess that comes out of years of teaching and being a parent and die hard Mets fan. Sounded like everyone had a great time. I like the priest giving the Mets a blessing. They need all the help they can get. Dana,

You are a real diplomat. Guess that comes out of years of teaching and being a parent and die hard Mets fan. Sounded like everyone had a great time. I like the priest giving the Mets a blessing. They need all the help they can get.

]]> Comment on Getting in the Mood by Dana http://danabrand.com/blog/2010/02/19/getting-in-the-mood/comment-page-1/#comment-59562 Dana Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:53:58 +0000 http://danabrand.com/blog/?p=490#comment-59562 Jerry, Sorry, I didn't mean to be obscure. I just think of equinoctial as meaning "having to do with the equinox" so that an equinoctial frenzy just means a frenzy you feel with the coming of spring. Yes, I will still be at the Friedberg JCC in Oceanside on March 4 and at C.W. Post on March 5. Details can be found from links on my site at http://thelastdaysofshea.com Jerry, Sorry, I didn’t mean to be obscure. I just think of equinoctial as meaning “having to do with the equinox” so that an equinoctial frenzy just means a frenzy you feel with the coming of spring.

Yes, I will still be at the Friedberg JCC in Oceanside on March 4 and at C.W. Post on March 5. Details can be found from links on my site at http://thelastdaysofshea.com

]]> Comment on Getting in the Mood by Jerry W http://danabrand.com/blog/2010/02/19/getting-in-the-mood/comment-page-1/#comment-59559 Jerry W Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:46:51 +0000 http://danabrand.com/blog/?p=490#comment-59559 Great blog Dana. There are many of us f*cking idiots. It's in our blood. But to be honest, I wouldn't want it any other way. There is nothing worse than a fair weather or bandwagon fan. I had to look up what equinoctial meant. For those of us who didn't understand it (probably everyone), I believe it is meant to be "baseball in the summer time" (in this context). Bart Giamatti would be proud! Will you still be in Oceanside and CW Post on 3/4 and 3/5? Great blog Dana. There are many of us f*cking idiots. It’s in our blood. But to be honest, I wouldn’t want it any other way. There is nothing worse than a fair weather or bandwagon fan.

I had to look up what equinoctial meant. For those of us who didn’t understand it (probably everyone), I believe it is meant to be “baseball in the summer time” (in this context). Bart Giamatti would be proud!

Will you still be in Oceanside and CW Post on 3/4 and 3/5?

]]> Comment on Getting in the Mood by Harvey Poris http://danabrand.com/blog/2010/02/19/getting-in-the-mood/comment-page-1/#comment-59503 Harvey Poris Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:10:46 +0000 http://danabrand.com/blog/?p=490#comment-59503 While you are at LIU, look up Prof. Joe Dorinson, who organized the highly successful Jackie Robinson symposium. As I mentioned to you at the SABR meeting, it might be of help in setting up the Mets symposium you are planning While you are at LIU, look up Prof. Joe Dorinson, who organized the highly successful Jackie Robinson symposium. As I mentioned to you at the SABR meeting, it might be of help in setting up the Mets symposium you are planning

]]> Comment on Pitchers and Catchers by Jerry W http://danabrand.com/blog/2010/02/18/pitchers-and-catchers-2/comment-page-1/#comment-59482 Jerry W Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:20:40 +0000 http://danabrand.com/blog/?p=488#comment-59482 This has been a long hard winter from a weather standpoint as well as spitting out the bad taste of the worst season in Met history. Now that we are getting closer I would like to say that it is good that we are considered underdogs this year. Last year at this time ESPN was predicting that the Mets would win the World Series and we all know what happened. So predictions of gloom are fine with me. I think that if we stay normally healthy and all/most of our guys have good years (not necessarily career years) we will be competing for the NL East and/or the wildcard. The Phils rotation is similar to last year as Halladay for Lee is almost a wash and their bullpen is a mess. Lets Go Mets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This has been a long hard winter from a weather standpoint as well as spitting out the bad taste of the worst season in Met history. Now that we are getting closer I would like to say that it is good that we are considered underdogs this year. Last year at this time ESPN was predicting that the Mets would win the World Series and we all know what happened. So predictions of gloom are fine with me. I think that if we stay normally healthy and all/most of our guys have good years (not necessarily career years) we will be competing for the NL East and/or the wildcard. The Phils rotation is similar to last year as Halladay for Lee is almost a wash and their bullpen is a mess. Lets Go Mets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

]]> Comment on My Impressions of Citi Field, Part V (Final): Writing on the Wall by Howard formerly of Mezz Res 14 http://danabrand.com/blog/2009/04/21/my-impressions-of-citi-field-part-v-final-writing-on-the-wall/comment-page-1/#comment-59263 Howard formerly of Mezz Res 14 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:55:02 +0000 http://danabrand.com/blog/2009/04/21/my-impressions-of-citi-field-part-v-final-writing-on-the-wall/#comment-59263 Dana and all: Well, time moves fwd and it's Feb 11, 2010 and I'm looking at StubHub at tix on 5/8 vs SF. And am glad to have found your right on analyses of CF and comparison to Shea (I was 13 in 69, to give you my time wise take). I loved my Sat plan seats at Shea as we moved closer to the IF every season...even aisle seats in the final year. Then we were offered way way up Promenade seats at CF and my buddy was getting divorced and we didn't swing it. Went to CF 3x, sat in LF lower level, which I liked MUCH more than I thought I would (my kid catching a BP HR might've helped). And I enjoyed the Shake Shack food too. NOT seeing the out of town board bothered me though...and Dana, you are RIGHT ON about the annoying ads vs. scoreboard. I will be interested in seeing the blue and orange and other cosmetic changes in 2010. Sat 2x in the Prom Boxes or club, I forget which... I HATED the obstructed view down the LF line both times, and being in a 'box seat' yet being in a row that's 20 seats long! Though the last time there--a loss to the Dbacks and JON GARLAND--with 4-5 AZ hrs, was a lot of fun because we ended up sitting near a bunch of guys from Montreal who were taking a week to go to games in NY, Bos and Pitt. Funniest thing was, a Nats fan was in our row, who offered the Nats back to the Expos fans! So I think I'll buy the $30 stub hub seats behind home in row 4 or so...and likely spend the rest of the summer going to see the BMets in Trenton and the Bisons in PA, both within an hr's easy drive. Thanks for the input and guidance! Dana and all: Well, time moves fwd and it’s Feb 11, 2010 and I’m looking at StubHub at tix on 5/8 vs SF. And am glad to have found your right on analyses of CF and comparison to Shea (I was 13 in 69, to give you my time wise take). I loved my Sat plan seats at Shea as we moved closer to the IF every season…even aisle seats in the final year. Then we were offered way way up Promenade seats at CF and my buddy was getting divorced and we didn’t swing it. Went to CF 3x, sat in LF lower level, which I liked MUCH more than I thought I would (my kid catching a BP HR might’ve helped). And I enjoyed the Shake Shack food too. NOT seeing the out of town board bothered me though…and Dana, you are RIGHT ON about the annoying ads vs. scoreboard. I will be interested in seeing the blue and orange and other cosmetic changes in 2010.

Sat 2x in the Prom Boxes or club, I forget which… I HATED the obstructed view down the LF line both times, and being in a ‘box seat’ yet being in a row that’s 20 seats long! Though the last time there–a loss to the Dbacks and JON GARLAND–with 4-5 AZ hrs, was a lot of fun because we ended up sitting near a bunch of guys from Montreal who were taking a week to go to games in NY, Bos and Pitt. Funniest thing was, a Nats fan was in our row, who offered the Nats back to the Expos fans!

So I think I’ll buy the $30 stub hub seats behind home in row 4 or so…and likely spend the rest of the summer going to see the BMets in Trenton and the Bisons in PA, both within an hr’s easy drive.

Thanks for the input and guidance!

]]> Comment on Thoughts on the Passing of Jane Jarvis by Kathleen Lockwood http://danabrand.com/blog/2010/02/04/thoughts-on-the-passing-of-jane-jarvis/comment-page-1/#comment-59119 Kathleen Lockwood Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:10:26 +0000 http://danabrand.com/blog/?p=476#comment-59119 What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful artist who added so much joy to the experience of attending a game at Shea. I fondly remember carrying my own "tired little teddy bear" back to the family waiting room at the end of the games. Music adds so much to the quality of our lives. Jane was always so tuned into the mood of the crowd, pumping it up with the Mexican Hat Dance or welcoming the fans in with Meet the Mets. Personally my heart always seemed to beat just a little bit faster when I heard the refrain from Jaws being played as my husband made his way to the mound. I hope she gets the chance to tunefully welcome old fans into the fold in heaven. What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful artist who added so much joy to the experience of attending a game at Shea.
I fondly remember carrying my own “tired little teddy bear” back to the family waiting room at the end of the games. Music adds so much to the quality of our lives. Jane was always so tuned into the mood of the crowd, pumping it up with the Mexican Hat Dance or welcoming the fans in with Meet the Mets. Personally my heart always seemed to beat just a little bit faster when I heard the refrain from Jaws being played as my husband made his way to the mound. I hope she gets the chance to tunefully welcome old fans into the fold in heaven.

]]> Comment on Thoughts on the Passing of Jane Jarvis by Vicki http://danabrand.com/blog/2010/02/04/thoughts-on-the-passing-of-jane-jarvis/comment-page-1/#comment-59107 Vicki Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:51:02 +0000 http://danabrand.com/blog/?p=476#comment-59107 Well said Dana, as usual. You so eloquently talk about the past and bring back memories that most stories and books about baseball and the Mets never mention. I remember when my friends and I went to Shea in the late 60's. We loved hearing Jane play, and always wondered what she looked like. It was fun guessing what color hair she had, if she was short or tall, fat or thin, if she wore glasses, if she was young or old. She was just part of the mystique that was Shea. It was a magical time, and unfortunately our children and grandchildren will never be able to experience that magic. Well said Dana, as usual. You so eloquently talk about the past and bring back memories that most stories and books about baseball and the Mets never mention. I remember when my friends and I went to Shea in the late 60’s. We loved hearing Jane play, and always wondered what she looked like. It was fun guessing what color hair she had, if she was short or tall, fat or thin, if she wore glasses, if she was young or old. She was just part of the mystique that was Shea. It was a magical time, and unfortunately our children and grandchildren will never be able to experience that magic.

]]> Comment on What We Expect and What Happens by Dana http://danabrand.com/blog/2010/01/29/what-we-expect-and-what-happens/comment-page-1/#comment-59098 Dana Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:23:41 +0000 http://danabrand.com/blog/?p=471#comment-59098 Skip is fondly remembered by all Mets fans of that time period. He had a lifetime 2.80 ERA for the Mets and if I'm not mistaken, that's the lowest of any Met pitcher with more than 300 innings besides Tom Seaver and Jesse Orosco. He was arguably our best player in the late '70s and a particularly important part of the excellent 1976 team. I'm also really looking forward to reading Kathleen's book. The perspective of the baseball wife hasn't been well-represented, particularly in that period, when everything was changing so much for all baseball players. Skip is fondly remembered by all Mets fans of that time period. He had a lifetime 2.80 ERA for the Mets and if I’m not mistaken, that’s the lowest of any Met pitcher with more than 300 innings besides Tom Seaver and Jesse Orosco. He was arguably our best player in the late ’70s and a particularly important part of the excellent 1976 team.

I’m also really looking forward to reading Kathleen’s book. The perspective of the baseball wife hasn’t been well-represented, particularly in that period, when everything was changing so much for all baseball players.

]]> Comment on What We Expect and What Happens by Jerry W http://danabrand.com/blog/2010/01/29/what-we-expect-and-what-happens/comment-page-1/#comment-59094 Jerry W Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:15:35 +0000 http://danabrand.com/blog/?p=471#comment-59094 Great blog Dana and a great response from Kathleen Lockwood. Thoughts of Skip Lockwood brings a smile to my face. I remember several things about Skip. First, he looked more like a professor than a pitcher with his round eyeglass frames. Two, he was #38. Three, the song "Skip To My Lou" was always played over the PA when he came in from the bullpen (was that Jane Jarvis?). And fourth, boy could he throw a fastball!!! Skip was definitley one of the best relievers the Mets have ever had. The book sounds terrific and I would love to pick one up at some point. Kathleen, rest assured that Skip is thought of very fondly by Met fans that saw him pitch. Please pass comment that along to him. I wish you the best sucess with the book. Great blog Dana and a great response from Kathleen Lockwood. Thoughts of Skip Lockwood brings a smile to my face. I remember several things about Skip. First, he looked more like a professor than a pitcher with his round eyeglass frames. Two, he was #38. Three, the song “Skip To My Lou” was always played over the PA when he came in from the bullpen (was that Jane Jarvis?). And fourth, boy could he throw a fastball!!! Skip was definitley one of the best relievers the Mets have ever had. The book sounds terrific and I would love to pick one up at some point.

Kathleen, rest assured that Skip is thought of very fondly by Met fans that saw him pitch. Please pass comment that along to him. I wish you the best sucess with the book.

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