At Least We Got a T-Shirt

The Phillies public relations and marketing staff seems to come up with a theme for every single ball game. This year, they have managed to stretch opening "day" into opening "week". Luckily, I was able to bum tickets off my aunt for the game against the hated and NL East division Rival, Mets. Needless to say, a t shirt would be given out to fans for the theme and I was excited.

Little did I know, this would be my lone highlight of the night.

My aunt gave me two tickets to any game of my choosing and since I hate the mets, I decided I would want to go early in the season while there is still hype around the Phils four starting "aces".

I love making the trip to the ballpark. Filled with sun, good tunes on the iPod, and thoughts of tailgating in the warm weather, the ride can be fillled with excitement.

Instead, mine was filled with cold air, traffic and no where to tailgate without paying 15 dollars. For anyone who doesn't have a job in college or parents refuse to give them money, paying 15 dollars for parking in FDR (which is usually free, damn Rod Stewart Concert) is a big time no-no.

Now where to park for free? The local CVS, a great spot to park.

The walk from the car to the stadium was cold to say the least. It was filled of, "I should of worn more layers", "I didn't know it was going to be this cold" and "Baseball in April! The Best!" All sentences that my aunt would later tell me I'm idiotic for.

We get right to our seats at the time for the first pitch, something that I am not accustomed to (love watching batting practice, damn traffic for Rod Stewart Concert). I greet my aunt with the customary kiss, hug and hello. My roommate and I slip into our seats and realize that there is no bad seat the ballpark, even if you are in the 300 level. But what I did realize, is that it is much colder if you are in the 300 level. Oh well, I will suck it up. At least I will get to watch Cole Hamels dominate the Mets.

Nope. Not the case at all.

Cole only lasted 2 2/3 innings and gave up six earned runs on seven hits earning himself a modest 20.25 ERA to start the season. Before most people were in their seats(Damn Rod Stewart Concert), the game was 6-0. Well, its no 6-0 Mets and I'm still freezing. The Phils can't get anything going on offense either. This is bound to happen after you sweep the opening homestand scoring 21 runs in three games.

The team has been looking good and I am really impressed with their style of ball. Jimmy Rollins is playing with his "swagger back" which is good to see, as the team goes as he goes. A nice surprise in right field in is Ben Francisco who has 6 hits in 14 AB's with a homerun. Ryan Howard looks completely different up at the plate, it looks like he has finally in the process of maturing into the patient hitter he needs to be. As soon as he understands that pitchers have to come to him, he will become a hall of fame calliber player. And everyone seems to be doing their job on the team, no one trying to do too much as teams in the past have fell victim to. Take friday's game for example, they were down three in the ninth inning to come back to beat the Astro's (Phillies JV team) but it wasn't done by clutch homeruns, it was done by a series of consistent, clutch hits. That is what was most impressive for me. And the pitching will always be there. Despite what Cole Hamels did last night, I am not worried at all. Every four out of five games, the phillies have a legit shot of holding the other team to three runs.

But it seems like every single time I go, I get to watch that one game where they give up six runs. The game didn't pick up, and the Phils only threatened once in the fourth inning with the bases loaded with Ryan Howard up at the plate. To go along with the theme of the night, he struck out swinging. At least he went down swinging. Since that moment, fans started to leave and the energy was sucked right out of the ballpark. Now, the cold was really setting in. Not even a 6.75 beer and two hot dogs could keep me cold. With beer costing 6.75, I thought I'd be able to wrap around me for warmth after I drank it. Ridiculous.

I hate to say it sportfans, but I left early. It came time for the eighth inning and I had enough, and a paper to write. Besides, I looked around me and other die hards left way before I did. This, and the thought of my warm car, was enough for me to make the decision.

The walk home was like the walk to the ball park, but much worse. The only thing I was looking forward to was getting into my warm car and going home. I told Blutz, my roomie, that this would be one of the best feelings in my life.

Well, we had to wait. It seems my wonderful idea of parking in the CVS parking lot was not the best. I kept pushing my "unlock car" on my remote keypad, but I wasn't hearing anything. I didn't have the courage to tell my freezing roommate yet.

We get there to not find my car. And as soon as we look around, we see a sign that says, "All Cars Illegally Parked Will be Towed by George Smith". I hate George Smith.

So here we are, we are stuck in the CVS parking lot with no ride home, no forms of transportation, no money(damn 6.75 beers and 9.25 Schmitters, mmmm-so good though) and dieing cell phones.

To make matters worse, I call George Smith and he says he closed. I am doomed. And oh, its going to be 210 dollars! I dont have any money! Literally, I have five dollars.

We had to laugh to keep from crying. Luckily we had a few friends in the city who we begged to come pick us up. Thank God I have cool friends. I had to beg George Smith to stay open and he did, because I told him many times how desperate we are. Thank God I have George Smith(but not really, he took 210 of my roommates money.) Oh yeah, and I owe my roommate 210 dollars.

This night was not the best. Thank God my roommate just got paid yesterday.

But hey, at least we got a free T shirt!