Sabres 12/16/2011 - Reds too, in a weird way!

Good morning all. It's been quite some time since my last blog. Days seem to run into each other and time passes like it was never there. I've had some great experiences but just haven't had the time to write about them. Friday night was another great day in the life of this Sabres Reds fan.

Alicia (my sweetie) and I went to Buffalo, to the First Niagara Center, to see the Sabres v. Maple Leafs game. We got to the arena early because I needed to track down Sabretooth for a photo. See, I told someone I wa going to incorporate my other big fandom of the Reds into a Sabres photo. So, like a little kid, I'm walking around First Niagara, looking for a big furry mascot of the Buffalo Sabres.

About 30 minutes before game time I finally found Sabretooth. My girlfriend and I were eating but left the food behind to get this photo done. I tapped Sabretooth on the shoulder and asked if I could get my photo with him/her. Sabretooth was more than happy to indulge me.

The shirt I'm wearing in the picture is something I won from a twitter buddy named Jamie Ramsey. Jamie handles media relations for the Cincinnati Reds. I contacted Jamie Friday, basically to razz him a bit about a cool bobble head he has named Burt. Anyone in the Reds Nation knows Burt is Jamie's next of kin, an awesome bobble, and off the market for give away!

So, I mentioned I'd get his Better Off Red shirt in a photo with the Sabres mascot Sabretooth, to show him how much the BOR shirt and Reds meant to me.

So here it is:
http://twitter.com/#!/Tonester5/status/147832113067073536/photo/1

Like the Christmas Carol for Frosty the Snowman - there must have been some magic in that "BOR Shirt" I wore, because the Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 5-4.

Thanks Sabretooth
Thanks Jamie
and thanks to everyone who reads. Thanks from the Cheap Seats.

Pawtucket v. Syracuse 8.25.2011 Memories

I have a great story to tell - please read.

     Last night, I took my girlfriend Alicia and her 9 yr old son Sean to the Pawtucket Red Sox v. Syracuse Chiefs Triple A baseball game. (Our neighbor and friend, Bill gave us the tickets from his boss) Sean and Alicia are huge RedSox Nation fans. Before the game, Sean got four autographs from Pawtucket players; Lars Anderson, Will Middlebrooks, Royce Ring, and Michael Bowden. We wished them good luck and thanked them all.


     After pregame warm-ups, Sean starts waving to Daniel Nava for an autograph, so I spoke up to get his attention. I gestured to Daniel, making a writing motion, to see if he would give Sean an autograph. Daniel takes the ball he warmed up with and tosses it to me, catching me off guard, I catch it, and hand it to Sean. Sean and I thanked him a couple times and wished him good luck! He said no problem and thanks. Daniel went 2 for 4 with a 1b, 2b, sac bunt and 2rbis. 

     So, to the 6th with the Pawsox tied at 2-2, Alicia says Sean and I are hungry, let's get ready to go. I said ok, sure. Then Sean says he wants to go to the bounce house behind the right field fence. We go down, toss the ball to see our speeds, he shoots some hoops, and bounced in the house. Sean threw 34mph and I tossed one 64mph. Not bad.

     We get back to our seats, it's the top of the 8th. Pawsox rally to get two more runs, 4-2. We are considering leaving but don't because I have a couple raffle tickets. I don't win but we decide to stay until the game ends anyway. 

     In the top of the 9th Luis Exposito, the Pawsox catcher, hits an opposite field Grand Slam over the right field fence. Sean runs to find the ball. I follow a little behind him and help him find the ball. We had the grand slam ball for a couple minutes!!!

     One of the Pawsox relief pitchers climbs over the right field fence and asks us for the ball because it's Exposito's first career GS. So, Sean says sure, no prob. We go back to our seats. The pitcher calls Sean to the bullpen and hands him two baseballs in return for his nice gesture.

    Pawsox win 12-4, Sean gets 3 baseballs, and he walked out of the stadium 10 feet tall with a smile from one ear to the other. The whole night was filled with kindness received and kindness returned. 

    Sean's Daniel Nava ball still has not come out of his catcher's mitt! He slept all night with his mitt, with the ball inside. That my friends is love for the game. What a night of memories for all three of us.


I may have to become a Paw-Boston-Red-Sox fan! Okay, they can be my 3rd team!!!!


Lets go Reds!

Thanks all and Cheers from the Cheap Seats.

Reds In the Nations Capital and Sabres Excitement

     Good afternoon all. Tonight marks the first time the Reds will face their former teammate, Jonny Gomes, since his trade deadline move to the Washington Nationals. JG was an outstanding RedLeg no matter what his stats say. I hope JG hits at least one big fly tonight, as long as the Reds win the overall game!!!!! Playoffs or bust --- I'm content realizing the latter is most likely this year. It's been a great ride. Lets Go Reds!

     On the hockey home front, the Buffalo Sabres are the talk of every town in New York. I'm more excited for this upcoming season than I've been in a few years. The Pegula regime has created a huge buzz with the purchase of the Sabres, the overhaul of the HSBC arena for the players locker room and workout facilities,  the buy out of the Portland Pirates minor league hockey contract, and pruchasing the Rochester Amricans to reunite them with the Sabres for real hometown talent growth.
     If you are a Sabres fan and aren't frick'n stoked, for the Sabres upcoming 2011 season, please go to your local hospital and check in. You need to have your pulse checked because your are probably not breathing.

I've got one expectation for this season - Playoffs first round series win. Anything better than that is cake baby! Lets Go Sabres!

Thanks and Cheers from the Cheap Seats.