Collecting stuff

[Marshmallowmilkshake]

I like to collect some fun Mets things when I can, which is not always easy where I live. But the Tigers authentic shop page has a section where you can purchase game-used balls from particular games. As we know, I went to the Sept. 1 game that the Mets won 10-8. It was the glorious Juan Soto game with the grand slam and triple. So I splurged a little and bought a ball from that game.

In that game, the Mets were ahead 6-5 in the bottom of the fifth when Gregory Soto gives up hits to Spencer Torkelson and Andy Ibanez with a Riley Green strikeout between them. Out goes Soto, in comes Ryne Stanek, much to the chagrin of every Met fan in the building.

Catcher Dillon Dingler comes to the plate. He took a strike then a ball before Stanek throws one very wide, sending it to the backstop and allowing Torkelson to pretty much jog home to tie the score. Soto's triple that put the Mets ahead again came the next inning, but at the time I was like, "Are you effing kidding me?"

My box from the Tigers arrived today. I excitedly opened it. Each MLB authentic ball has a hologram on it, and you can go to the website and enter the code to learn the batter, pitcher, and what happened. I was pretty excited, given all the Met stars in the lineup that day.

The website spits out:

Batter: Dillon Dingler

Pitcher: Ryne Stanek

Second pitch: Ball, slider, 88.4 mph, Ball1 1, Strikes 1.

Third pitch: Wild pitch. Torkelson scores. Andy Ibanez to second.

Well, at least it was a memorable play.