IGT, Game 14, 4/17, vs. DC: Soul Twist

[Guest AG/DC]

I'm starting this one extra-early, as I'm off to the new Nationals Park to get my soul twisted --- and hopefullly the late great King Curtis will be there in spirit and save some soul for his fellow Shea-dwellers as well.

This is just the sort of matchup you want to see in a series-ender: unheralded journeyman vs. unheralded rookie. Nelson Figueroa's big-league life is tenuous, so hopefully he'll get to wear some home whites before the Mets hit the road again.

Worth noting: the Mets have gone with the same outfield every game so far. Only the Braves can say the same. Look for them to go with Pagan-Beltran-church at least one more game.

Tonight will be the last active anniversary ever for Shea Stadium, which debuted this night in 1964, with the outfield walls still wet.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Wait a minute... today's game is being played at Shea...

[Willets Point]

Opening Day 1964:

[Willets Point]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Wait a minute... today's game is being played at Shea...

AG's going to Nationals Ballpark to see Joseph "Benedict" Ratzinger (# XVI in your scorecard) open for the Vatican 9.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Ah! I forgot about that.

I heard a report on NPR yesterday about this. I thought they were saying that the Pope would be at National Spaceball Park.

I thought, huh?

[Guest Triple Dee]

If the Nats go on a 147-game win streak, it will form conclusive proof that God exists.

[Benjamin Grimm]

And if they don't, it will prove the opposite.

[soupcan]

From today's New York Post:

Forty-four years ago today, the Mets' Jack Fisher took the mound as the starter for the opener at Shea. To this day, Fisher remembers who his first opposing hitter was (Dick Schofield), who his catcher was (Jesse Gonder) and what he threw for his first pitch (a strike).

The Mets lost 4-3 to the Pirates, with 48,736 in the stands, and Fisher, 69, remembers them being pretty loud.

"Raucous, roaring," he said yesterday in a phone conversation. "They were great."

Fisher, along with Ron Hunt (first Met run at Shea) and Tim Harkness (first Met hit at Shea), will pull down the Shea countdown number today.

[metirish]

That's great to have those guys doing the honors.

[stevejrogers]

="soupcan"]From today's New York Post: Forty-four years ago today, the Mets' Jack Fisher took the mound as the starter for the opener at Shea. To this day, Fisher remembers who his first opposing hitter was (Dick Schofield), who his catcher was (Jesse Gonder) and what he threw for his first pitch (a strike). The Mets lost 4-3 to the Pirates, with 48,736 in the stands, and Fisher, 69, remembers them being pretty loud. "Raucous, roaring," he said yesterday in a phone conversation. "They were great." Fisher, along with Ron Hunt (first Met run at Shea) and Tim Harkness (first Met hit at Shea), will pull down the Shea countdown number today.

Somewhere in the NYC area Greg Prince and Jason Fry are celebrating.

[Benjamin Grimm]

] Fisher, along with Ron Hunt (first Met run at Shea) and Tim Harkness (first Met hit at Shea), will pull down the Shea countdown number today.

Hopefully there will be a nice online photo of that.

[Theoldmole]

Figueroa! Butch Stover! Casanova!

[Guest AG/DC]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: And if they don't, it will prove the opposite.

Hey, no fair.

[Guest sharpie]

Beltran outta da lineup the night after he goes yard for the first time. Also, Casanova the personal catcher for Figueroa.

Guzman ss
Belliard 2b
Zimmerman 3b
Johnson 1b
Milledge cf
Kearns rf
Pena lf
Nieves c
Lannan p

Reyes ss
Church rf
Wright 3b
Delgado 1b
Pagan cf
Clark lf
Casanova c
Castillo 2b
N. Figueroa p

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Wow Edgy, great timing on pointing out the OF streak.

[Guest Triple Dee]

I thought Endy would have started ahead of Brady Clark.


Then again, Willie may not be a believer in redundancy.

[TransMonk]

Ryan Church is pretty freakin' awesome early this year.

[Guest Triple Dee]

Good to see he's hitting lefties.

[Guest mario25]

To bad Delgado cant.....

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Nelson channeling Pedro. But with his arm actually remaining attached to his body.

[Guest Triple Dee]

Nelson's got some filthy stuff tonight.

[Valadius]

At least we're getting some value out of Church and Schneider.

[Guest Triple Dee]

So far so good.

[Valadius]

Hey, I just realized that I can watch the game. FINALLY!

[Valadius]

Fucking Castillo sucks.

[Valadius]

All hail Lord Nelson!

[G-Fafif]

Kid from the borough of my birth versus kid from the city of my upbringing in a duel, if so inclined, I could take personally. Yet I'm not torn in my allegiance. John Lannin couldn't even be bothered to go to LBHS.

Go Figgie. Go Brooklyn.

[Valadius]

Good God, the Nationals' commentators are horrible.

[Theoldmole]

Who are they?

First cheap hit off Figgy.

[Valadius]

Figgy misplays a ball hit at him, and they rule it a hit.