During the great Home Run last night (10/17) against the Astros by Albert Pujols at Minute Maid Park, reference is being constantly made to the "train tracks." Pujol's ball, in replays, shows that it bounced off what looks like a set of tracks. What are these tracks? Or are they just fake? Anyone from Houston or therabouts will probably know...
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
The old Union Station is a part of the baseball park and the tracks you saw are about 4 stories high and they have a steam engine imitation that will roll through there, blowing it's horn, whenever an Astro hits a home run.
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
Thanks Mike for your quick answer. I didn't think they were live tracks, being so high in the sky...now what's your prediction for the rest of the Astros/Cardinals series? What a game last night.
Posted by zephyr (Member # 1651) on :
That was some game last night. My prediction (actually more a hope since I'm very, very biased) is the Cardinals will go on to win the NL series.
A World Series in St. Louis would be great way to say adieu to Busch Stadium (to be demolished right after the Cardinals end their season). And for the Cardinals to win the series in the final game played there--well, that would be sweet.
Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary depending on your specific team affiliation.
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
While I seriously disliked the outcome, there is something magical about a bat's sweet spot tagging a baseball's sweet spot, and the resulting towering home run...
Given that, the Astros win the next game.
Posted by zephyr (Member # 1651) on :
Mr. Smith, I believe this is the first time I've ever disagreed with anything you've posted on this forum. Well, maybe it can be attributed to you having limited knowledge of baseball matters.
At the risk of being too technical and talking a bit over your head, let me try to summarize why St. Louis will prevail in the post season. Here's my informed and highly insightful analysis:
The Cardinals are going to whoop 'em. They're goin' to whoop 'em good. They're going to whoop 'em so bad the Stros will demand a refund from their ump, Phil Cuzzi. Then its off to whoop on the ChiSox. Wompin' and stompin' to near Mr. Normans's zip code to do some more serious whoopin'. All the bad umpin' money can buy won't stop the whoopin'. Whoopees, sad Stros and Sox be. It's in the Cards who the Whooper be. Whoopee!
As I mentioned at the start, I hope I didn't get too technical with my analysis. I apologize if I did, and would be glad give it another try in crayon.
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
Zephyr.... What you posted must have gone over my head...
All I heard was "WHAAAAAAaaa Cards good... Astros & Chisox {2005 World Series Teams} bad... WHAAAAAAaaaaaaa...."
Posted by zephyr (Member # 1651) on :
quote:Originally posted by mikesmith: ....What you posted must have gone over my head...
You're selling yourself short, Mike. You sorta got it. Maybe I underestimated your level of baseball acumen.
And speaking of the Stros, I didn't realize Minute Maid Park (twerpy name) has such a railroad theme. I visited the Astro's website (gads, it was like going behind enemy lines) and discovered they make a big deal about incorporating Houston's railroad heritage into the stadium. Cool.
What's the stadium like? Did they preserve Union Station, and how is it incorporated into the ballpark? They have scheduled tours--know if they're worth it? Amtrak stops elsewhere, right? Is it easy to get from the Amtrak station to Minute Maid (gees, please start a campaign to get that name changed)? Any local rail use Union Station? And, is the area around Minute Maid (gee, just typing that name is like chewing foil) a place you would recommend for a travel stay (i.e., other than minor league baseball, much else to do and see in the area)?
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
LOL....
To answer your questions. Union Station had been shut down for decades before Enron Park was built. In fact, the field and the home side dugout are sitting on top of the tracks that ended at Union Station. You can just walk into the old station anytime you are at the ballpark. IT is still pretty much as I remember it from 1967, minus most of the seats and activity, of course.
We could call the park the OJ field... no that won't work... no stabbings at the site... Maybe call it Astrodomain? nope... too hoaky. Minute Maid is paying millions of dollars for the naming rights to the field; maybe we could write Minute Maid and request a name change...
Getting from Amtrak to the stadium would not be too difficult. There is a trolley or buses that travel throughout downtown, and there is lots of stuff to do and see around Houston. And our minor league team will be playing next week, so that might be a good time to come see them at the OJ park... Otherwise, you'll have to wait til next year. Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
Mr. Zeph, If you think Minute Maid is a twerpy name, how about my hometown stadium in San Diego, called Cat Chow Park? (Thanks to Phil Hendrie for that one.) Actually the real name of the Padres field is Pet Food Park. Will there be no end to these goofy corporate sponsorships?
Now turning to COMISKEY FIELD (I don' know nuthin' bout US Cellular Park) and your expectations of your Cardinals. Yes, a team in Zip Code 60632 will have something to say about your team in a quiet, blue collar workmanlike way. I am afraid the vaunted can of Cardinals whoop-a## will be put back on the shelf. However, I am looking for a good World Series and think we will get it. Dare I mention the Red Sox/Cardinals fiasco of last year? However, your Mr. Eckstein and others are pretty formidable. I remember Eck when he helped the Angels win their World Series a few years back...the "spark plug."
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
That is assuming the Cardinals GET to the World Series; sorry for jumping the gun to the 'Stro fans, such as Mr. Smith...
Posted by zephyr (Member # 1651) on :
Sure, Railroad Bob, bring up the Red Sox/Cardinal series. Go ahead, just twist that knife. Cut my heart out. Shake some more salt on my bleeding wounds.
But just remember this (and you hear it too, Mike): My team has a much cooler stadium name. "Busch." Now there's a name that inspires visions of baseball, fishing with the boys, working on the car, scantily clad...(well, you get the picture). You know, manly things.
And you know, that's something you just can't take away from my team. You two will have to live with "Minute Maid" and "Petco" for a long, long time. Yuk. Like, what comes to mind when you think of Petco Park (honey, will you take FiFi out for a walk). Stadiums where the most sacred of all games are played simply should not be named so lamely.
I rest my case. Speaking of which, I just bought one. Ah, Buschhhhhh......
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
Wait a minute... I understand the "Busch" name will be available next season...
Hmmmmm... Better get busy writing those letters to Minute Maid, convincing them to buy Busch... :B
Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
Has the old railroad areas been refurbished and incorporated to the ball park theme? any chance of getting the trains back in Union Station, as Cinncinatti, St Louis and Kansas City have done to there great stations? The current platform is unworthy of your great city. There's an idea when the corporate money runs out call Enron/Minute Maid etc...Call the ball park Union Park or Union Station Park, any thougths or maybe Minute Maid Park at Union Station!
Posted by Ira Slotkin (Member # 81) on :
Minute Maid Stadium. Hmmm
Could give new meaning to the term "squeeze play"
Punfully
Ira
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
Tanner929... No chance... none... not a single hope.... never gonna happen.
Minute Maid Park is literally sitting on top of where the tracks were. And, yes... Our Amtrak station is pathetic, even though it does have some of the benches from the Union Station, and a Blue Bell ice cream dispenser.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
Anything with a Blue Bell Ice Cream dispenser can't be all bad.
Posted by zephyr (Member # 1651) on :
OK, let's get it out of the way. I congratulate the Houston Astro's and their fans on their championship. That includes Mr. Smith. It's a class organization, class players, and class fans. Their win last night sets the table for a great World Series. I'll have to stop now, as the gag reflex is starting to kick in.
Now it's off to do some shopping. First to Costco to buy a new TV (we were able to retrieve the New Balance 497's from what remains of the old TV, and they'll be OK once the glass shards are removed). And to Petco (oh, the humiliation) to buy a new toy for the cat ("Mr. Kitty, I know it's warm on top of the TV. But we've explained to you that it's not a safe place to nap when Mr. Zephyr is watching a baseball game or political debate. Now come down from the tree and play with this new fuzzy thing").
Oh, then there's tonight. Dinner with friends (?) who are Houston fans. I'm kinda the guest of honor. They're cooking up something special, just for me. Crow a la Broche. I've actually had that dish before. Not bad. Tastes just like Owl.
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
quote:Originally posted by zephyr:And you know, that's something you just can't take away from my team. You two will have to live with "Minute Maid" and "Petco" for a long, long time. Yuk. Like, what comes to mind when you think of Petco Park (honey, will you take FiFi out for a walk). Stadiums where the most sacred of all games are played simply should not be named so lamely.
I rest my case. Speaking of which, I just bought one. Ah, Buschhhhhh...... [/QB]
Right you are, zephyr. In their furious attempt to be a "modern day" baseball venue, here are a couple of things I noticed at games at Petco (San Diego.) They have eliminated the wonderful organ interludes during games, that we have all heard since childhood and generations before that. Petco's seats are tiny and cramped, in order to cram more fans in. The PA system is way too loud, and the operators use rap and bling-bling effects to "impress" the fans. I do like the AC/DC Highway to Hell they play when Trevor Hoffman tries to save. There is a constant cacophony at Petco, and rarely a quiet moment during innings where you can catch your thoughts as in other parks. "Friar franks" (Padre dogs) were delivered to me with STALE BUNS. And finally, the Padres are a less-than-scintillating team and do odd things such as break key players ribs in "clubhouse celebrations." I just want old-fashioned baseball without this kind of spin. Go Good Sox!
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
quote: I congratulate the Houston Astro's and their fans on their championship. That includes Mr. Smith.
Ok, I must set the record straight. I had absolutely NOTHING to do with the Astros win... Nothing... nada... zippola... In fact, I fell asleep during the bottom of the 7th...
I did have that feeling that allowed me to confidently and unequivocally predict their next win on Tuesday, after the colossal home run.
Having said that, I think we should steal the Busch name for our stadium... St Louis doesn't need it any more...
And Railroad Bob, our seats are comfortable. We paid for them with our tax dollars, so they had better be comfortable!!!!
Posted by zephyr (Member # 1651) on :
quote:Originally posted by mikesmith: I must set the record straight. I had absolutely NOTHING to do with the Astros win...Nothing... nada... zippola...
OK. I'll keep you on my Christmas list for now.
Now getting back to that twerpy name for a ballpark, you can't have "Busch". Name's taken. Can't have it. Get over it. Just not available. Nope...never...end of story!
But here's an idea. Minute Maid (merely typing it still grinds on my nerves) is owned by Coca-Cola Inc. So you might say Coke is the corporate sponsor. And they own a whole bunch of things. Check this list out: http://www2.coca-cola.com/brands/brandlist.html
This list provides a wealth of alternatives to Minute Ma-a-mah-ah (sorry, I just can't type or say that name one more time). I found one intriguing possibility in the "B's".
And while you're at it, why don't you also do something about the team's name. Astros? Why is the team named after a cartoon canine? Geez, don't you Houstonians know the Jetsons are just make-believe? Colt 45's was just fine.
And to touch briefly on rr things, is Union Station served by any rail? Like the trolley, light rail, or whatever?
Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
Hey mikesmith, not releated to mike scott perhaps?
The architectes should have incorperated the rail station under the ball park it worked for for arena's the old Boston Garden sat on top of the old North Station as does the new North Station and the New Fleet Center just without the ambience and the championships. Madison Square Garden squashed itself on top of Pennsylvania Station in NY but Houston could have done better.
So does anyone else like the idea of renaming it Union Station Park? or Union Park.
Posted by zephyr (Member # 1651) on :
Tanner929, Union Station Park is an outstanding name for the stadium. But, hey, do you think a city who names their team after a cartoon character would consider renaming their ballpark to such a fitting name?
As far as laying track under the stadium, remember this is Houston. The Bayou City. You dig a foot down there, and you can start hitting the still-fermenting ooze of the Mesozoic Era. No, I'd be very careful about any Big Digs there.
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
Houston doesn't have any basements... We don't need them. And there is a river flowing under downtown; so tunnelling isn't exactly a good idea, especially with our thousands of earthquakes each year.
Union Field would be great... However Union Station couldn't come up with the $85,000,000 required for the naming rights...
And there is no rail line to Union Station, but our wheeled downtown trolley does drive past it...
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
The Astros were named the Astros in 1965, when the Astrodome was built and the Astronauts {NASA} arrived in Houston, courtesy of LBJ...
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
quote:Originally posted by mikesmith: Houston doesn't have any basements... We don't need them. And there is a river flowing under downtown; so tunnelling isn't exactly a good idea, especially with our thousands of earthquakes each year.
You are spoofing about the earthquakes, right? That is news to me and I have lived there.
As to the tunneling: Remember the movie with the caverns under New Orleans? Don't remember its title. Complete NONSENSE ! ! ! There are no caverns under New Orleans. It is sand, silt, river mud, all very fine particles down for hundreds of feet. No caves and no caves possible. If there were any they would be full of water, anyhow.
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
Seriously, Houston has thousands of earthquakes each year. All of them are below 1 on the Ricktor scale, but we have them.The largest visible fault line I have seen is in Spring Branch, between Long Point and Hammerly {or was it Westview} on Campbell. The road rises about 2 feet northbound.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
quote:Originally posted by mikesmith: Seriously, Houston has thousands of earthquakes each year. All of them are below 1 on the Ricktor scale, but we have them.
OK, I believe you. Less than 1 in usually imperceptible except to the seismograph. Here it wouldn't even be counted. The Taiwan Weather Bureau only reports those that are 4.0 or greater. We are up to about 150 so far this year. (That is, 4.0 at the epicenter where ever it is on the island and surrounding seabed. In actuality in Taipei we only have about one a month in the 1.0 plus range and 4.0 once in every few years. Don't want you to think we are shaking all the time.)
Oh well, so long as this sportstalk.com thread has landed here at our rail forum, I thought all concerned that a New York Times guest columnist gives The Series to.......(drumroll)
The New York Times is not a legitimate news source, so if they think Houston will win,we are probably in trouble.
Maybe they'll be like a broken clock and be right this one time...
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
Mr. Norman, I'm the guilty party here for starting this sportstalk.com thread, but there was a "train theme" to my original question. How was I to know it would grow to include the fault zones of Houston and whether New Orleans has underground caves? But I am learning a lot that I didn't know before. The name "Astros" to me has a 60s ring to it; I'd prefer the old Colt .45 moniker, but I guess gun names have fallen out of correctness just like Native American college team names like Squaws and Seminoles.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Try my school on for size, Railroad Bob, when it comes to getting in x-wise over a politically correct mascot issue.
I'm certain the student, be it "my day' or present day and likely majoring in Dance with the College of Fine and Applied Arts, portraying Chief Illiniwek has performed of his/her own free will at half-times, and had a worthwhile line to add to a resume' or what artists call a portfolio.
GBN University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign BS Accountancy, 1970
Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
I'm suprised the NYTimes editorial board would allow Texas to win anything, of course they could claim "The fix was in!" The Washington Post Paper only refers to the local NFL Team as Washingtons Football Team. The Washington Basketball Team had to change its name. Well the Baltimore Bullets worked well for the city known for its history of munitions manufacturers but when they moved to DC (The murder capitol at the time) it just didn't work. While I'm ranting, Could the NHL see they have way to many franchises because the team names resemble a grade school intermural league. That is all.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Here's more from the Times today. Since no New York team is involved thay can afford to be inconclastic.
Lastly, Mr. Smith, I'm at a loss to understand how one can refer to the most quoted newssource anywhere in the world as other than a legitimate newssource. To disagree with the editorial positions taken by The New York Times is one thing, but to state the Times is not a recognized newssource is something else.
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
Mr Norman: The NYT USED to be the most respected news source on the planet. They used to be the Paper of Record. They have not been anywhere near that for the last decade and a half. Their editorial board, columnists, and overall competency of their alleged reporters have gone downhill... steeply downhill... over the last 15 years. They have suffered scandal after scandal of making up the news, hiring imbeciles to write for the paper, and ignoring any news story that differs from, or denegrates, their point of view.
They are a shadow of what they used to be.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Noted, Mr. Smith--
The New York Times is the newspaper that I have read for the past sixty years (at my age of five, my Mother read it to my Sister and myself), and I intend to keep read reading for whatever years the Good Lord gives me to do so.
Of possible interest: I also read The Wall Street Journal
GBN
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
I think this thread has now presented "all the news that's fit to print."
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
I think you're right, Railroad Bob.
BTW, Have you heard that Houston's old Union Station is a part of the Astro's Minute Maid Ballpark? Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Sooner or later the Moderator, if any, around here is going to kill this off topic thread.
Here is a Q to Mr. Smith unrelated to any political-social-economic ideologies.
For what sports facility did (NYSE symbol) ENE hold naming rights?
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
Tanner, I'm not sure where you got the idea that the Washington Post does not use the name Redskins and refers to them only as our football team.the headline in today's Post is "Redskins play 52 Pickup"
Posted by zephyr (Member # 1651) on :
It's time to even the odds. Mr. Smith is right-on when he pointed out the New York Times forecast of an Astros victory is like the kiss of death (for the Astros).
So I, Mr. Zephyr, hereby predict the team from the shores of Lake Michigan will win the World Series.
Now, that should make the White Sox 2-0 lead much more surmountable. My record of incorrectly predicting World Series outcomes, and the resulting steady diet of Crow a la Broche, should warm the hearts of Houston fans everywhere.
As for the resident of BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.34:
"For what sports facility did (NYSE symbol) ENE hold naming rights?"
Stock symbol ENE=Enron, which held naming rights at Houston's current stadium before it got it's juicy new name. It cost the Stros $2.1 million to end early Enron's sponsorship and to rid itself of this tarnished name. As further punishment, they were required to replace "Enron" with a twerpy name.
And " "The New York Times is the newspaper that I have read for the past sixty years..."
Wow, bad habits are really hard to break. But you do say you also read the WSJ, so maybe it's a ying and yang thing.
"...at my age of five, my Mother read it (the NY Times) to my Sister and myself..."
I think this method of punishing a misbehaving child is no longer acceptable.
Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
More facts I may or may not no sorry about the Redskin thing perhaps they've changed there policy. Oh and did you know, The New York Times Corporation ownes a piece of The Boston Red Sox. Guess they wanted to invest in the local teams but the Yankees are too "Conservative" (and succesfull) for the Times, and The Mets? Well The Times doesn't do the Outer Bourugh's.
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: Sooner or later the Moderator, if any, around here is going to kill this off topic thread.
Oh, let's allow the monster to live until the Series is over, Mr. N. We aren't violating any of the forum rules, other than being off the "train track." Plus, I enjoy your brisk, witty repartee. We shall rise above the plebian rabble and their baseball banter... oh, did I mention Go White Sox? Am I the only one who thinks the Foxcasters are biased in their game coverage? Just put Joe Buck in an Astros uniform and be done with it. And the first "d" in "Podsednik" is silent, I think. Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
Unfortunatly we hear on the east coast we nod off long before the game ends or McCarver surpasses his 10,000 word limit (oh we can only hope) Course there all ex National Leaguers. Yeah lets keep this going I think this is the longest topic scince I've join this place. Wanna talk about Joe Morgan's problem? kidding
Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
Unfortunatly we hear on the east coast we nod off long before the game ends or McCarver surpasses his 10,000 word limit (oh we can only hope) Course there all ex National Leaguers. Yeah lets keep this going I think this is the longest topic scince I've join this place. Wanna talk about Joe Morgan's problem? kidding
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
I don't know..... The Astros have a track record of winning those multiple extra inning games...
I don't know what happened last night... {I do, but I'm in denial} Posted by Ira Slotkin (Member # 81) on :
zephyr and tanner: thanks for your delightful humor.
mikesmith: thanks for using the word "track" so we ARE talking about trains after all. Whew...
And because someone mentioned yin and yang, and because the Japanese have high speed trains and because the Cardinals are not in the series, I offer a trainku:
sans moderator topic is a runaway too much a-siding
Ira in poetic Denver
Posted by UncleBuck44 (Member # 2049) on :
I can't believe the Cardinals lost Game 6. Well I sort of can. Oh well, at least I was at the last game ever played at Busch Stadium.
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
Zephyr, you apparently could not overcome the NYT's knack for "getting it wrong".
Too bad... Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Before this thread gets the axe, I thought I would share that last evening I "checked in' on the game from time to time. One check after I had retired was during the top of the 9th. I then decided to turn on the TV, and watched until game's end.
Here in my rather affluent suburb, immediately after the game was over, I stepped outside and heard nothing. However, about fifteen minutes later, a few fireworks intermittently were detonated. Needless to say, there were no caravans of autos chasing about blowing their horns, or any other public jubliation.
That's just my town (actually incorporated as a Village) for you; that's the way the residents, including this resident, want it!!!!!
But taking a more macro view of the region, I'm pleased to learn that a major Chicago sports team can win it all without any violence or vandalism. Unfortunately, this was not the case during the years the Bulls won their NBA championships.
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: But taking a more macro view of the region, I'm pleased to learn that a major Chicago sports team can win it all without any violence or vandalism. Unfortunately, this was not the case during the years the Bulls won their NBA championships.
An astute observation, Mr. N. In fact, the owner of the W. Sox recently commented that he would gladly trade all the Bulls victory rings for just one Series Ring. Maybe it's an apples and oranges thing, but it's interesting how Sox fans did not burn down Chicago last night. There was some questionable celebrating; my uncle near 51st and Western said he could hear "fully automatic" weapons fire on his street; always a bad idea to discharge firearms into the air...sounds like Baghdad. But my hat is off to the Sox and the end of the 88 year drought. Posted by zephyr (Member # 1651) on :
I'm stunned. I actually correctly called a World Series. My first since the Loma Prieta, Battle of the Bay, BART (see, Ira, how I snuck a rail thing in there to apease the forum gestapos) Series. My last correct call was the A's over the Giants in 1989. But, hey, this year my call got a lot of karma from the NY Times and the Stro's ballpark's twerpy name.
I think I'm on a roll now. In the past, I think I've relied too much on logic and statistics. That's why I've lost a lot of bets to my wife (her system is based on how "pretty" the uniforms are, how "cute" the players are, and--probably based on her prior successes--picking the team I think has absolutely no chance).
But I now see the light. I will no longer pay any attention to baseball logic or statistics. Aaron Levenstein was right: Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital. From now on, I'm paying more attention to vitals such as NY Times picks, cuteness, cut and color of the uniforms, and the name of the stadium.
Additional comments:
To UncleBuck44: Welcome back. It's been a while since we've heard from you in these parts. As a citizen of the Cardinal Nation, I'll have to check out the new stadium next year. It'll be my third stadium I've been to in St. Loo (a sign of my length of citizenship).
To Ira Slotkin: Regarding your puns (like Minute Maid squeeze plays) and trainku, they were vomit provoking. Is it the thin air in Denver that gives you the inspiration? Does that limited supply of oxygen cause permanent brain damage over a period of time? (Just joshing, they were clever. Thanks for elevating the level of humor around here. It may be hard to believe, but I suspect you introduced some forum members to trainku poetry for the very first time).
To our boy from BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.34: You seem to be real hung-up on the lack of adult supervision on this forum. Hey, loosen your tie. Don't worry. You're not a child anymore, and the moderator is not going to punish you by setting you down and giving you a good, long reading-to of the New York Times.
To Railroad Bob: If the moderator does get upset about this thread, just remember who started it. You did. You could be in big, big trouble. I think forum banishment is warranted and must certainly be considered. (By the way, you might want to check out the Kane County Cougars next time you're in Illinois. You'll have more spare time to do that once you are banished and can't post on this forum. What a first class Chi-burb minor league team. I attended a game there four years ago, had a great time, and didn't have to take out a home equity loan to do it).
And to Mr. Smith: For a Series sweep, it was one of the best. The Astros were in every game. Now, please, please, do something about the stadium name.
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
Zephyr, please post your guess of the numbers to the next Lotto.
Thanks... I'm looking forward to my 3 weeks on the American Orient Express vacation, after I win.
And if I win big, how does "Mike's Ballpark" sound?
Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
Last thoughts on the World Series. Disappointing TV Ratings but most series do not grab the general public until a game 6 is played. AND this big congrats to FOX Sports, This is the first World Series where the fans on the West Coast fell asleep before the game ended. I'm not a TV executive but, I know Prime Time is 8p-11p est 7-10p cst and that is the biggest audience, but again wouldn't it be good if the games start at 4-5-6 p the best part of the game would be played in prime time not during Jimmy Kimmel.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
First I learned that TV ratings were a problem was reading this piece in The Times while seated at the coffee house's "table with a view' (half-hour @730A: four freights, one METRA; thank you BNSF).
My second learning was reading Mr. Tanner's posting.
Needless to say, I doubt if many Chicagoans were aware of any such problems.
Posted by Ira Slotkin (Member # 81) on :
I suspect that the ratings are much different in the NEC. Watchership is much more prevalent in the densely populated megalopolis from DC to Boston, however it is also more costly to broadcast there. I might be that were we to separate out the cost of broadcasting to this area we would see that the rest of the country, with its many minor league teams and high school baseball teams and AAA league teams really support the FOX network in the NEC, and that the smaller outlets - such as Cuba and the Dominican Republic - provide much of the resources for the popularity of the cross country trains. Or something. Build it and they will ride...
Ira mixing my metaphors with tongue firmly planted in cheek, and with freight train whistles haunting the morning air here in Denver.
Posted by DeeCT (Member # 3241) on :
"Oh and did you know, The New York Times Corporation ownes a piece of The Boston Red Sox."
You are correct Tanner - The New York Times outright owns the Boston Globe (and Worcester Telegram). The Globe in turn has a partnership share(s) in the Boston Red Sox and NESN (New England Sports Network).
Train related?? ---- Well the Globe is now running supportive articles for the Fenway Neighborhood redevelopment - which includes new/upgraded transit (subway) link to the Fenway Park neighborhood. Just think in the future we will be able to Acela it to Boston - walk across the waiting room and down the hall - hop onto the MTA and be at Fenway in the wink of an eye. (Well maybe a little longer.) However I note your New Haven location and suspect your team loyalties may lie to the west not east. (The train goes there too -- lol) Dee
Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
Mr Norman the advantage you have is being in the central time zone your games start at 7:45 still later then a regular season game but tolarable, if the game doesnt run for 5 hours. What we in the east get angry when, as in 2000 the two NY Teams are playing in the Series and the games are starting at 8:30 an hour and a half later then regular season start times. Dee yes my loyalties look to the west I was born in NYC. New Haven is the demarkation line for NY/BOS and of course you realize that New England doesn't begin until you reach of the end of the Metro North New Haven Line, its true. Lets keep this going, can we get to 100 replies.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Mr. Tanner--
There was so much excitement here when people realized after first round the Sox were still standing, the games could have started at midnight without any effect upon local ratings.
GBN formerly; Riverside CT
Posted by Ira Slotkin (Member # 81) on :
Well, gee Tanner. This is off the baseball topic, but taking a swing at getting back to trains.. more trainku:
Lest I miss the moon The California Zephyr Shakes me from my bed
In the lounge car I stretch and watch the landscape Contrails high above
I forgot to check Walking to the dining car: Is the seat belt sign off?
How many are we up to?
Ira
Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
But think of the children who only know baseball from the EA gameboy. Tis no way to build a business. It was alot easier to sneak a transistor radio into 5th grade then it is to stay awake for the 7th inning stretch these days.
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
"Silver rails, talking wires, Black cross ties and the hoboes fires, Lawd I got the down home summertime blues..."*
Oops, I forgot--it's November already. The 91 degree day we had on Halloween fooled me here in east San Diego county.
*Imagery by Norman Blake
Posted by zephyr (Member # 1651) on :
Hey, Railroad Bob, good to have you back. I was getting worried that you actually were banished from this forum for starting this thread.
Nice poem (though a sleezy segue to bragging about the weather around Sandy Eggo). And on the subject of poetry, check this out: www.cosmicbaseball.com/slotkinpoe.html
Nice piece of writing, albeit by a Dodgers fan (and there's my tie to rail: as Ira knows, the Dodgers are called that because Brooklyn fans had to risk life and limb dodging trolleys to get to the park. The original team name, Trolley Dodgers, was just shortened to Dodgers).
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
Right Zephyr, sometimes even when Sandy Claws comes, it's still warm in Sandy Eggo. But I spend part of my time in the Midwest so I still get the coolish winters. I am not far from the gentleman from Clarendon Hills, at MP 18.34. I hope to meet him someday and watch the Dinky parade with him from his cozy coffee house... Posted by zephyr (Member # 1651) on :
Yeh, it would be nice to have a cup of coffee with our resident of BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.34. If you're fortunate enough to get the chance, please share how a young boy subjected to the unusual form of parental punishment of "reading-to" of the New York Times turns out. Does he twitch? Foam at the mouth? Speak in tongues? Enquiring minds want to know.
And how did you like the writings of our very own Ira Slotkin? I really liked it. Makes me want to learn more about the Cosmic Baseball Association. Wonder what season ticket prices are?
Oh, and any more bragging about the weather in Sandy Eggo, we up here in the High Sierra's are gonna cut off your water.
Posted by Ira Slotkin (Member # 81) on :
Hey zephyr. Thanks for the poetry plug and the appreciation!! Wrote that piece about 5 years ago. Poetry is my second line of work and my first love. How did you find your way to the CBA site? It is a marvelous spiritual, intellectual, fun and thought provoking site. Not as active as a few years ago.
NOTE TO THE RAILYARD DETECTIVES: There is a powerful piece there about the underground railway (whew... got it in).
I found it a few years ago when doing some research on Casey at the Bat prior to writing song parodies for a children's theater production based on the poem.
NOTE TO JONATHON: there's a picture on the CBA site at the end of my poem so you can see what I look like. If you'd like to start a train poetry section of your website, you are welcome to start with my trainku above.
Ira
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
quote:Originally posted by zephyr:
Oh, and any more bragging about the weather in Sandy Eggo, we up here in the High Sierra's are gonna cut off your water.
Pull that plug, and you will cut off Los Angeles, not San Diego. We get our water from the brown, muddy and saline-y Colorado River. But I do remember the "water wars" of the 30s, the Owens Valley and the redoubtable Bill Mulholland, who did the Deed... Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
How many days until pitchers and catchers?
Was Bill Mulhollands deed what inspired "Shes my daughter <slap!> She's my sister <slap> or was it vice versa?
name that movie.
Posted by Ira Slotkin (Member # 81) on :
Chinatown!!
Posted by DeeCT (Member # 3241) on :
[How many days until pitchers and catchers?]
Far too many !!!!
Thankfully, here in CT the UConn Huskies (Men and Women) basketball teams go into action next week to help fill the interim.
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