Whether the change in Hughes has been the result of Andy Pettitte’s mentoring or just being healthy, the guy has turned his career around in his last starts and he’s making me eat my words about him. I still wish he’d go deeper into games, but he was great tonight. The Nationals came into the series with all the hype, but they got schooled by Hughes, who didn’t give up a homer for the first time this season.
For awhile it looked like the Yanks as a team were going to win their first game of the season without a homer, but Granderson nixed that with his blast. It was a satisfying victory. The offense, the defense, the pitching, the pen (welcome back, D-Rob!) were all fantastic (not counting Swisher’s ungraceful leap at the ball early on).
I got the game on the MLB Network and had to listen to some mind-numbingly boring stats (“The Nationals and Yankees play best on Friday nights”). And judging by people on Twitter, John and Suzyn were unhappy that their broadcast booth was so high up at the Nats’ ballpark. But it looked like a beautiful night for baseball and we won and nobody got hurt for a change. Plus, Girardi got his 500th “W” as our manager – deservedly. Oh, and Justice Sotomayor was at the game just like we predicted she would be. Love her.
Update: Hey, look who met up at the game! Friends of the Blog, Dave and Ruth, with a very excellent sign! Thanks to Dave for coming up with it and for Ruth for sending it along. Here they are…
Tags: Joe Girardi, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Nationals, Phil Hughes, Yankees
Mismatch.
Got to the ballpark nice & early, hoping to find Ruth & Hubby and share a beer while waiting for my college buddies and son to arrive. Beautiful night; rare to have low humidity in D.C. this far into June.
Of course, I was the only fan crazy enuf to wear a Yankee cap with a Nats shirt. One usher glared at me like I had two heads; I told him I had a split personality, and he shook his head as if to say, “Crazy old white man…” But the beer was cold & cheap (only two choices: Lite or Coors Light)…now where IS Ruth?…
After a half an hour, as I wandered past the live band again, I saw a young couple and they smiled at me. At that moment, I noticed that they were BOTH wearing Nats hats with Yankee T-shirts! Hey, whaddya know! The woman remarked that people kept asking what was wrong with them, and she said “we like both teams — what’s wrong with YOU??” I shouted back (you had to sorta shout): oh, yeah — YOU get it — I grew up here (pointing to my cap), but I live here (pointing to my chest). We smiled some more, congratulated each other on our wisdom, and I walked away, still looking and waiting. I passed them once or twice more in my pre-game wanderings, smiling and nodding each time. But they were always facing me.
Middle of the game — already 2-1, Yanks — I told my buddies that I was gonna make my way down to the lower deck and try to find this “Ruth” lady. Gotta do it. Already told ‘em about the nice ‘mismatched’ couple. Luckily, Ruth had provided both the Section and Row, or I’d have had no chance in a crowd of 49,000+. When I finally got to their row, I saw a man & woman with “Swisher 33″ t-shirts on, from the back. Gotta be them…at last!
Jane the Novelist knows what’s next. When I walked down in and saw them from the front, I gasped. They looked at me, smiled and gasped. I said, “RUTH?!?” It was, of course, the SAME couple I’d met before the game!! She told me she was looking for a guy wearing all Duke stuff; I told her I was looking for a couple wearing all-Yankee stuff, and never saw the backs of their shirts. What a Total Hoot!! Well, we had a lovely little talk. She was thrilled we met (AGAIN), and we took pictures (hope to post ‘em or e-mail ‘em soon). I had a handmade sign for them to use — hope you get to see it — and told them a bit about How I Know Jane. For a full inning, I was not conscious of the game. What a wonderful treat. Ruth — hope you have a fabulous weekend — best to Hubby (I’m gawdawful with names), and may we meet again someday!!
What a great story, Dave. I can’t add much to it, except it was so nice of you to take the time to come down to our seats and chat. Plus, I loved all the swag you gave us! It was a good game, I guess, but it was nerve-wracking in the beginning, when it looked like the ‘old’ Yankees had shown up. But then the hits with RISP started, and all seemed right with the world. Tomorrow I will definitely have to change my outfit strategy….the whole night was almost marred by MULTIPLE Yankee fans coming up to both of us saying “how COULD you possibly wear a Nats hat with a Yankee shirt! Nick Swisher would be SO DISGUSTED.’ (I believe alcohol played a huge part in a lot of those comments). On the contrary, I think Nick would be just fine with it all….’it’s all good’ he’d say, or something more comical. Jane, I just emailed you the picture I have of me and Dave. It’s a good one, I think! Now, Peggy, I need to complete the She-Fan sweep tomorrow. I am going to the game solo, initially. Hubby Tom can’t manage two games in a weekend, so I’m meeting somewhere there. But I’ll be alone for most of batting practice…if you get there early, please look for me. Better yet, you should text me…I’ll see if Jane has some other contact info for you. Okay, busy day ahead. Here’s to Andy’s first win as a 40-year old!
Dave, thanks for the rundown and the sign for Ruth. Great story and great sign. It reminds me of the numerous times I was supposed to meet someone at a restaurant for a business lunch, not knowing what the person looked like, and would sit at a table forever not knowing the person was seated a few tables away waiting for me! Anyhow, I’m glad it all worked out and you guys were able to connect in your split personality outfits.
Yes, Ruth, the game was nerve wracking in the beginning, but the boys came on strong and did what they had to do. I hope the Nats fans didn’t harass you too much. Sounds like you had fun in any case. (I agree about Swisher having a good time with everything.) Enjoy the rest of the series and your meet up with Peggy. It’s really cool, btw, to see what you look like after all our communications!
Hi Jane & fellow baseball fans…
Nice win last night! We are in DC and can’t wait to go to the game to see our 40 year old pitch. Here’s to a Yankee Sweep …Number 3.
Great pic of Ruth & Dave. Love it!! I hope to see Ruth tomorrow. Thanks Jane for sending her my cell no. Call me Ruth.
Have a great day!!
Go Yankees 2012!!
Have fun, Peggy. I hope you and your Mets fan cousin work your usual magic.
Hey, great pic you guys! It’s nice to finally put a face to your names! Great story, you had me with your twist ending Dave, should have seen it coming! Now Ruth, will you finally reveal to the world why Dave goes by ‘Bob Cerv’ on here?? lol
Thank you, and you’re welcome. We did have SUCH fun. Almost forgot the final score…
Sure hope that Ruth and Peggy hook up…that would be great, too. You’re on the precipice of a sweep, so I know how exciting that is for you, too.
Why Bob Cerv? And who is he, anyway?? Well…as I tried to explain to Ruth & Tom…
Bob Cerv is/was a real ballplayer who was a teammate AND roommate of Mantle & Maris during their epic HR competition in 1961. He was a marginal outfielder who platooned with Hector Lopez and I-forget-who, but a basic good guy. What I told Ruth was, if I’d ever been a big leaguer, he’s the kind of guy I’d likely have been — a spear-carrier and good buddy to the stars and superstars, just happy to be there. Like I am on this blog…
BTW, Jane — one thing I couldn’t resist doing with Ruth was finding our old HS yearbook and copying out a few choice pages — of YOU, of course — and the person who caused you to be Jane Heller today — and me, or at least the 155-pound shadow that once was me. They rather enjoyed the history lesson!!