Oh, I was big-timin' it tonight! A friend had four tickets to the Yankees, so we each took a devoted daughter, put on our Yankee caps, and away we went. Did we have a good time?
With an epic defeat, the New York Yankees' hold on first place in the AL East became increasingly tenuous.
Omar Vizquel got six hits to tie the American League record for a nine-inning game and the Cleveland Indians routed New York 22-0 Tuesday night in the largest loss in the 101-year history of the Yankees.
Cleveland matched the largest shutout win in the major leagues since 1900, set by Pittsburgh against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 16, 1975.
...New York had never lost by more than 18 runs, falling 24-6 at Cleveland on July 29, 1928, and 19-1 at home against Detroit on June 17, 1925. Previously, the Yankees' biggest shutout loss was 15-0 to Chicago White Sox on July 15, 1907, and May 4, 1950.
Some fun. And we had great seats, too, right down by the action along the first base line. In the first inning, I was worried that I would be struck by a foul ball and knocked unconscious. By 9-0, I was worried that I wouldn't be.
My friend reminded his daughter that by paying close attention to a ball game, one can always learn something new. "Look", he said when the Yankees brought in little-used C. J. Nitkowski at 11-0, "I just learned that 'Nitkowski' is Polish for 'I surrender' ".
The ushers joined in the merriment. At 15-0, one woman asked whether she could get back to her elite seat even though she had lost her ticket. "M'am", replied the shell-shocked attendant, "I think they asked that question on the Titanic, too".
She never came back. Neither did the Yanks.
I grew up near Baltimore - so I wont comment on the Yanks losing.
A number of years ago I took my Pop to a Rockies game. The Braves were in town (Glavine, Maddox, Smoltz) and absolutely killed the Blake Street Bombers (Galarraga, Bichette, Burks, Walker, & sometimes Castilla) 17-2 or something. BUT my pop had not been to a game in twenty years - just being at the park with him was well worth it.
Posted by: bains | September 01, 2004 at 01:24 AM
CNNSI said it was the worst defeat by shutout in the history of the American League. :)
Posted by: Pat Curley | September 01, 2004 at 02:27 AM
I'm not surprised to find out your a NY'er, with your sharp mind, and of course a Yankees fan.. Very nice to hear.
What can be said of the Yanks, they are slipping, but will regain footing as always. Remember, this is God's way of tormenting people from Boston. Its amazing how realistic it looks each year, yet the final results are pre-determined no?
Posted by: BN | September 01, 2004 at 10:37 AM
Go Cardinals!!!!
Posted by: RandMan | September 02, 2004 at 12:08 PM