 Sunday, August 20, 2006
(1) 1986 Mets World Series Celebration; (2) How I reconcile being a life-long Yankees fans with rooting for the Mets; (3) Rockies at Mets
(1) 1986 Mets World Series Celebration:
The year 1986 conjures up many great sports, music, movies, and personal memories. One of the most special was the Mets victory over the Red
Sox. As I entered Shea Stadium extra early around 6:30 pm, the ticket taker said that all 1986 ceremonial baseball cards were gone at 4:30
pm. You have got to kidding me because I was amongst the first 25,000 to be eligible for the ceremonial cards and you know my feelings about
baseball cards. Not cool!
Anyway, the infectious "Let's Go Mets" played over the speakers and I went to my seat.
As a special 1986 tarp covered the field from the light rain, Mets radio announcer Howie Rose was the MC for the 1986 World Series Celebration.
When the WS trophy was brought out, the crowd went crazy! And now, for the returning heroes who walked down the first and third base aisles
giving high fives and walked to their respective name and number signs along the diamond from first to third base:
GM Mr. Frank Cashen
23 Bud Harrelson
48 Randy Niemann
2 Kevin Elster
49 Ed Hearn
25 Danny Heep
39 Doug Sisk
38 Rick Aguilera
7 Kevin Mitchell 11 Tim Tueffel
20 Howard Johnson
3 Santana
6 Wally Backman
12 Ron Darling - The Birthday Boy
19 Bobby Ojeda
50 Sid Fernandez
4 Lenny Dykstra
47 Jessie Orosco
1 Mookie Wilson
17 Keith Hernandez
8 Gary Carter
18 Darryl Strawberry - The loudest cheers were for "Straw". He was really touched by the cheers. Fingers crossed for a successful recovery.
Howie turned over to Keith Hernandez who turned it over to Mookie Wilson. The National Anthem performed by 1986 Opening Day and World Series
Game 1 singer and lifelong Mets fan and #94 Glenn Close -- great job!
A USSOCOM parachuter landed in right center field and furled out a "Go Mets" banner. There was a team Photo in CF while "You belong to the
City" played.
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(2) How I reconcile being a life-long Yankees fans with rooting for the Mets:
The "abbreviated" version appears below. After an upcoming post-season "summit" with Tony Robbins, A-Rod, Steve, and myself, I may provide a
thesis length version if we figure out all of A-Rod's and my issues out first which is premised on the fact that we try to make everyone happy
(AKA "A-Rodosis" or "Tomism") and need to tell people to take a hike from time to time. 
(A) Early Years:
I have been often asked how I can root for the Mets while being a lifelong Yankees fan. Yes, rooting the Mets against the Boston Red Sox was easy
but my roots go earlier and deeper than that. Most of you know that I grew up in beautiful Upstate New York but not many know that I actually
watched more Mets games than Yankees games because of how the games were broadcast on local stations, only the Utica NBC and the Binghamton CBS
affiliates. The Syracuse ABC affiliate was out of range and what was Fox? Believe me, my brother and I called the local cable company to ask
for our MTV but there were not enough people along our road which happened to be a New York State highway.
Anyway, I listened to Yankees games on the radio called by Phil Rizzuto and still catch most games on the radio through MLB.com. I
watched Mets games on TV and enjoyed watching Rusty Staub, Dave "King Kong" Kingman hit moon shot home runs, amongst others. (Unfortunately,
Dave has yet to run my e-mail from a couple months back.).
(B) Speaking of Upstate, I never was confronted with making the choice that my Downstate brethren had to make between the Yankees and Mets.
Ah, the innocence of youth. Remember, it's two different leagues and in essence, two different games within our great pastime so I enjoy
aspects of both. My multiple personalities can appreciate this.
(C) While reading an issue of "Sports Illustrated" in the mid 1980s, I remember the lyrics of Suzanna Vega's "Luka" along in an article about
the Mets. I always had a crush on Suzanne Vega and other female singer songwriters like her, Carly Simon, Sheryl Crow, etc. Maybe Suzanne was
a Mets fan and I could meet her. Hey, I was an impressionable teenager. OK, I am impressionable adult too.
These reasons may seem incomprehensible to you but that's my story and I am sticking to it.
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(3) Colorado Rockies at Mets, Saturday, August 19:
After the ceremony and the grounds crew removed the tarp and groomed the field, the game started and hour late at 8:06 pm.
Nice catch by a fan right up against the railing in foul territory in the lower Mezzanine on the third base line while Yorvit Torrealba was at
base with two out in the top of the second.
Nice pickoff attempt to end the top of the third (1-3-4).
John Mellencamp's "R.O.C.K. In the USA" preceeds Lastings Milledge who gets on first after HBP. Endy Chavez sacrifices Milledge to second.
Profesor Reyes grounds out to end the third. It's still scoreless.
A wave attempt ends the top of the fourth and the infectious "Let's Go Mets" plays again with 1986 footage.
Beltran hits a nice fly out to the warning track in center. Darn it! The shift is on for Delgado who unfortunately strikes out to end the
fifth.
Torrealba hits a home run to open the sixth. Rockies 1 - Mets 0. Darn it!
The caped crusader with a Mets Blanket as a cape who was a couple of sections to my right takes a bow after Milledge singles to right. Chavez
grounds out to end the sixth.
"Rock Me Amadeus" plays during the t-shirt toss. As soon as I learn more German, I am considering entering the German version "American Idol"
as I am unfortunately too old for the American version as it tops out at 29 to enter. Taylor Hicks who looks much older than me recently
turned 30. As recently witnessed during my recent trip to Australia where I encountered "karaoke discrimination" for not being Japanese, I'll
continue to fight against "musical contest age discrimination". I greatly appreciate your help in this important freedom of speech issue.
Delgado makes a great catch on a bunt attempt for the first out in the top of the sixth. Runners at first and third with two out while the
trainer comes out to check Williams. Willaims is out with an injury.
While I went to the rest room, the Rockies hit a three run shot. OK, sorry Steve and Linda but I had to go and even the radio commentators
noted the shortness of Hernandez's warmup for the injured Williams. The Rockies unfortunately lead 4-0.
When the Mets come up in the sixth, Beltran hits a fly ball that the LF drops and scores a run.
A wild pitch makes it 4 to 3. Delgado on second. It's fast and furious in the bottom of the sixth. After the WP, DW is intentionally
walked. Woodward flies out for the second out. Lastings Milledge singles to right field to tie the game. DW is almost caught in a run down at
second but a throwing error gets DW to third and Milledge advances to second. Julio Franco is intentionally walked to load the bases. Tucker is
back up and works a walk to break the 4-4 tie. Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" plays during the pitching change. Profesor Reyes works a walk
after an 0-2 count and the Mets lead 6-4. This kid has has ice water in his veins. The crowd rallies behind Paul LoDuca in light of his
recent personal issues. LoDuca unfortunately flies out to the right center warning track to end the sixth but the Mets lead 6-4 after scoring
sixth runs on two errors and only two earned runs.
Huey Lewis's "Stuck with You" plays going into the top of the 7th.
The home plate umpire Wally Bell got nailed with a ball in the left shoulder on a 1-2 count with one out. Bell is thankfully okay.
DW starts the double play and the Mets lead 6-4 at the 7th inning stretch.
After flashing on outfield screen, I am tempted to go over to get my picture with the 1986 WS trophy in the right field food court but know
there are thousands en route and don't want to jinx the winning karma. (After the game, I did go to the Right Field Food Court but they already
cut the photo line off. However, the security guard informs me that both championship trophies are in the Diamond Club for future reference.)
55,085 are announced for the eighth sellout of the season.
Delgado hits a ground rule double to left but Holliday thankfully dropped another ball near the wall. This is almost the exact spot where I
practiced catching the ball after the "Run to Home Plate" on Saturday, July 29. (Holliday probably didn't run in the RTHP and was afraid of
hitting the wall unlike The Tank who almost ran over a college professor who considered blocking home plate for a moment and then moved while
The Tank rounded third base during a student-teacher softball game in college. No brown nosing because I need to score and win; I even got an
A- in the class.) DW lines out to the SS and Delgado is unfortunately caught off of second.
A guy to my left with two chocolate ice creams in both hands gets a "Chocolate Ice Cream" chant. Heilemann thankfully works an effective top
of the eighth.
Steve Windwood's "Higher Love" plays before the Mets bat in the bottom of the eighth. I am loving this musical trip down memory lane.
Milledge hits a bomb to left field bleachers and Billy Idol's "Mony Mony" blares over the speakers.
While the first part of Rule 10.1.9 gives the advantage to Hernandez for the win after relieving Williams in the sixth but the official scorer
rightfully awards the win to Heilemann because he gave up one hit over two innings while Hernandez gave up the three run home run.
"Enter Sandman" blares over the speakers and Billy Wagner enters the game. Clint Barmes flies out to Milledge to end the game.
The Mets win 7-4!
Posted by The Tank from Shea in NY.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Welcome to the Yankee Club Restaurant, Orioles at the Yankees, Thursday, August 17
My roommate (MTA Ray) and I used the firm's primo tickets for the second time this season to visit the Yankee Club Restaurant at Yankee Stadium.
While enjoying lunch in the air conditioned Yankee Club and watching the first couple of innings on closed caption TV, it was time to sit in the primo Stadium seats. They are close to the field but not lots of leg room like the bleachers where I normally sit. I unfortunately could not stay the entire game because I had to go to work. I left after three innings when the Yankees were down 4-2. Jared Wright didn't have the right stuff when we really needed him.
By the time I got to work, the Orioles widened their lead and unfortunately won 12-2. Going into Boston on Friday with only a 1.5 game lead and one game in hand, I am stressed for the five game series over four days. Fingers crossed and saying the prayers and eating the vitamins for a successful trip to Boston.
Go Yankees!
Posted by The Tank in New York.
P.S. The Mets helped their cause by beating the Phillies. I am less concerned for them as they still have a double digit lead but I am still praying for Pedro's recovery.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Hot Dogs Here!!!
An Interview with a career Stadium Vendor
You see them all the time, all over the world. They walk in front of you at the most critical moment of the game and yell at the top of their lungs: “Beer here!” They are stadium vendors, folks who come to the games every day and get paid to sell you stuff to eat and drink.
I started vending hot dogs, pretzels, beer and soda at Shea Stadium in April 1988 and eventually worked at other sporting arenas like Madison Square Garden. Even to this day people are fascinated with my past experiences as a stadium vendor- it dominated every job interview I have ever been on as well as my interviews for Business School- so I figured that I would take the time out and interview a long time friend and stadium vendor. (Some names have been changed to protect the guilty.)
Steve and the Tank: We met at Shea Stadium Opening Day 1988 but I was smart enough to quit in 1994 after possibly 1000 games at multiple stadiums, what about you, how long have you been vending and how many sporting/entertainment events have you been to?
Vendor: Oh way too many, over 2000. How long have I been vending? Let’s do the math 1988-1993 about 70 games a year. 1994 about 100 games both Yankee and Shea. No vending in 1995 while on Wall Street. Then 1996-97 75 a year. Then 1998-99 I took some time off and was hoping around the world. Then 2000 75 games at Yankee. Then 2001-2006 about 140 a year both Shea and Yankee
Steve and the Tank: That sure is a lot of games! At what stadiums, just Shea and Yankee?
Vendor: Only Yankee and Shea with a brief stint at Madison Square Garden.
Steve and the Tank: Which is the best place to sell at? Shea? Yankee? MSG? Other?
Vendor: Yankee has the most generous fans. Shea fans spend money but tipping is less then Yankee. MSG sucked when I worked there with you
Steve and the Tank: Yes it did suck. But we saw some amazing Knick games and our locker room was where they kept the rink for ranger games. Remember Martin Luther King day 1990 when Trent Tucker got a 3 point shot with 0.01 seconds on the clock to win an amazing victory over the Bulls? This leads me to the next question, did you start vending so you can see free games?
Vendor: Yes I did in the beginning.
Steve and the Tank: What happened, is it all about the money?
Vendor: Free games gets old after the first year. I come to work to work, just like you.
Steve and the Tank: How much does a vendor make on average selling each item?
Vendor: No comment, but they pay us on commission, so the more you work the more you make.
Steve and the Tank: Why do the pay you on commission and pay the people behind the counter by the hour?
Vendor: It has always been like that. Vendors always got commission going back to the beginning o baseball and counter workers got hourly pay. I assume they pay us on commission since we are in the seats selling to the fans and can so easily just sit and watch the game if we were paid by the hour.
Steve and the Tank: What is the easiest product to sell? Beer? Hot dogs? Other?
Vendor: Depends on the person some people find beer easy to sell others hot dogs. I prefer hot dogs.
Steve and the Tank: What is the most profitable product to sell?
Vendor: Depends how good the vendor is and the section of the stadium you are in.
Steve and the Tank: Can you give your friends free beer?
Vendor: Sometimes they give me credit in the station. I don't want to pay for your free bee, we are accountable for everything we sell.
Steve and the Tank: I once sold a beer to a 7 year old boy who was bringing it to his dad. The scene was funny, the dad actually sent his kid down to me to fetch him a beer. Do you card kids?
Vendor: I hate selling beer. Actually will not sell it anymore because I have to card everybody including 80 yr olds.
Steve and the Tank: Do you sell beer to cute women who are underage?
Vendor: If I want to lose my job.
Steve and the Tank: How have Aramark and other large scale vendors changed the vending business over the past 15 or so years?
Vendor: The prices are a lot higher. A lot has changed to much to list. No more draft beer, drip sodas. Vending is always changing. We now have ketchup with the hot dogs!
Steve and the Tank: I remember Game 3 of the NLCS in 1988 when it was cold and raining and I just wanted to go home. I also remember some 100 degree day games selling hot dogs in the field level with the sun beating down on me and having to go into the ice cream freezer to cool off in-between innings. What was the hardest conditions (heat, cold, rain, snow, etc.) that you worked in?
Vendor: I remember one Mets opening day few years ago it was 31 degrees. It was to cold to do anything, I had to keep warm in the vendor room as much as I could between innings.
Steve and the Tank: Did anyone ever try to rob you at the game?
Vendor: Never has happened at anytime. I don’t think anyone has ever been robbed.
Steve and the Tank: I still remember the most beautiful woman I ever sold a hot dog to, her name was Tracy and it was August 1990 in the Upper Deck at a night game against the Pittsburg Pirates. Who was the least pleasant client you dealt with? Most pleasant?
Vendor: I deal with people in seconds don't have time to get to know them. Other vendors sit there and have conversations with fans. I am too busy try trying to make my money.
Steve and the Tank: I remember I was hit in the head with a foul ball on the first pitch of the first game of a twilight double header. I also remember catching about 3 or 4 foul balls over the years. Did you ever catch a foul or home run ball? If so, which one and how many?
Vendor: Once caught a foul ball at Yankee during the game. The ball went down the hallway and I was standing there to pick it up. These days when I see a foul ball headed in my direction I tend to try to get as far away from the crazy people who are sacrificing their bodies for a worthless ball. More then a few vendors were knocked out from crazy people diving for balls. But I have caught plenty of balls during batting practice
Steve and the Tank: What is the longest term vendor you are acquainted with? Shortest term?
Vendor: After Manny Gluck died last year he was at Yankee since 1955. Know the #1 guy is Mike McNamara he started at Yankee in 1960. Short term the vendor who started today.
Steve and the Tank: What is the craziest story of a vendor getting fired?
Vendor: The funniest story I know is concerning our mutual friend Bo (name changed). You know this guy is insane. The scene: Yankee vs Boston in I don't know let’s say 1996. Bo decides to take the day off and watch the game from the bleachers. Back then the bleachers still sold beer. He proceeds to get wasted and starts harassing Boston fans. It gets bad the fans complain he gets thrown out. Security doesn't know he is a vendor. He uses his ID to get back in and starts harassing the fans again. Security sees him thinking what the hell throw him out again. You would think OK he goes home but no he gets in again back to the same fans starts fighting them Security comes takes him out search find the ID take him to Joyce Pappa the boss he is fired right away.
Steve and the Tank : What was the most memorable moment you witnessed?
Vendor: Has to be when the Yanks won the World Series in 1996. I watched Charlie Hayes catch the ball from the left field seats and watched the whole celebration on the field.
Steve and the Tank: Do you get to meet the players?
Vendor: No, but back in 1988 I met a few of the Mets..
Posted by Steve, in New York.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
"Vote for Pedro" and Pray for his recovery; Ground breaking at the new Yankee Stadium
The Mets had some bad news earlier this week as Pedro Martinez injured his calf at the Phillies. If he was hurt coming out of the bullpen during warm-ups, why did he start? I rarely second guess athletes since I have run and competed with my fair share of injuries.
However, with the Mets huge lead in the NL East, why take the chance? It wasn't like Randy Johnson who was hurt but had recently pitched as the Yankees are in a tight pennant race. As a fellow Dominican (this honorary citizenship was granted to me by friend and co-worker "Dominican Lou" (Luis) a couple of years ago, I know Pedro can be determined (stubborn) like me. Many people blame former Red Sox manager Grady Little for keeping Pedro in too long in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS but I knew he wanted to finish off the Yankees and stayed in the game. Pedro was thankfully unsuccessful in these efforts but I respect him for trying.
Since the Mets placed Pedro on the 15-day DL , I am praying that Pedro gets better soon and tunes up before the playoffs.
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Wednesday was also a bad day for the Yankees. Not only did we lose to the Orioles but the RS unfortunately beat the Tigers. I can't thank the Tigers enough for taking two out of three against the RS. Drinks for Detroit Dale the next time I see him.
Furthermore, Wednesday was also a sad day because it is the 58th observance of Babe Ruth's passing and it was ground-breaking day for the new Yankee Stadium. Don't get me wrong, I understand the revenue arguments with all the new luxury boxes, restaurants, parking, etc. However, from a fan perspective, the Boston Celtics were never the same after moving from Boston Garden and going into the Fleet Center, now Bank of America Center. (Granted, Bird, Parrish, DJ, McHale were retired or at the end of their careers but the Celtic Magic left with the old Boston Garden.) By the time that the Yankees are scheduled to move into the new digs in 2009, the heart and soul of the Yankees (Jorge, Bernie, Mariano, and Posada) will either be retired or on the decline. I hope the magic transfers across the street and I hope my superstition is wrong. Lastly, from a selfish standpoint, where are the bleachers going to be in the new stadium because I don't see it in the current design? I became a ticket plan holder since 2001 since I could not get 2000 Subway Series tickets. Where will I sit in 2009 and beyond? Please keep checking this site as I search for answers and elusive closure.
Go Yankees! / Mets! / "Steve and The Tank"!
Posted by The Tank in New York
Sunday, August 13, 2006
"Sir, Please drink from your water bottle." Angels at Yankees, Saturday, August 12
As I entered the Stadium, I was asked to drink from my water my water bottles. I had (non-alcoholic) apple cider in one and regular water in the other. I drank from both, didn't collapse, and the security guard let me in. (This precaution was in light of the recent terror alerts from liquids in London.)
A-Rod gets on with a walk. Giambino singles to right field and A-Rod goes to third. Posada strikes out on a nasty slider.
"It is high, it is far, it is gone!": Robinson Cano's three run home run landed about seven rows in front of me to my left in Bleachers Section 41. Yankees 3 - Angels 1.
Bernie singles to center.
"Johnny Be Gone!": Johnny Damon homers to right. Yankees 5 - Angels 1.
Jeter strikes out and the Yankees thankfully lead 5-1 at the end of 2.
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A-Rod doubles to right center in the bottom of the third with one out. Everyone including me! You see Steve, I am a big believer in positive thinking. A-Rod is getting results after I mentioned doing the Tony Robbins "Fire Walk" to relieve the stress of playing in NY.
Giambino walks after Molina gets hit with a foul ball under his chin in between the mask and the chest protector. Ouch!
Posada grounds out into an inning ending double play. Darn it! Yankees 5 - Angels 1 at the end of 3.
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Wright struggled but thankfully got through five. He is good for about 100 pitches and has "only" about 75 pitches. Scott Proctor started to warm up in the bullpen.
A-Rod hits into a double play to end the fifth. Though I credit A-Rod for his earlier double, Boston Bob continues to dig on A-Rod.
Wright comes out for the sixth. A ball goes by A-Rod and scored as the 20th error of season. I know, I know, Boston Bob. I am stuck in the middle between positive thinking Steve and negative thinking Boston Bob.
Proctor comes in to relieve Wright.
Jorge makes a great throw to Jeter to get Vladimir Guerrero at second base to thankfully end the Angels threat in the sixth.
Melky Cabrera doubles with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Johnny "Be Good" Damon advances Cabrera to third on a groundout to short. Angels go to the pen to some guy I have never heard of. Jeter strikes out to the seventh and some Red Sox fan in a pink Boston hat boos Jeter. I am against breast cancer too but remember the situation -- you're in the Bleachers at Yankee Stadium with a pink Boston hat is asking for trouble.
Farnsworth comes in for the eighth. A-Rod makes a great play and throw. I stand up and cheer like crazy. My fellow Bleachers Creatures think that I have lost it. A-Rod doubles with one out in the bottom of the eighth. Phillips walks but the Yankees don't score. Yankees 5 - Angels 2.
Time for a Metallica's "Enter Sandman" as Mariano comes in to save the ninth and then we treated to the Chairman of the Board's (Frank Sinatra, not Whitey Ford) "New York, New York" as the Yankees thankfully win!
Yankees 5 -"LA Angels of Anahiem of Orange County of Southern California of the United States of the Western Hempshire of the Planet Earth of the Solar System of the Known Universe" 2.
Posted by The Tank in New York
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Mets and Yankees lose close Friday (8/11/06) games
The Mets lose 2-1 at the Nationals. The Yankees lose to the dreaded "LA of Anahiem of Orange County of Southern California of the Western Hemisphere Angels". Since the RS unfortunately beat Baltimore, they closed to within two games of the Yankees. I don't comment on the Mets opponents because they buried the Braves and Phillies over the past couple of weekends.
In the meantime, please check out our other postings.
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde NY Sports Fans
New York sports fans
need to have their heads examined. I don't know what it is, but what
makes a
Mets fan boo Carlos Beltran on Opening Day? Sure he had bad numbers in 2005,
sure he is making a ton of money, but this is how you motivate him to play hard?
He played in pain most of last year, so why not chalk it up and start fresh in
2006? What ever happened to turning over a new leaf on Opening Day. Give the guy
a chance, we know he is capable.
Now the same thing
is happening to ARod over
at the Stadium. The Tank wants to trade him. Yankee fans relentlessly boo one of
the greatest players in baseball. The situation has gotten so bad that fellow New York 3rd
baseman, David Wright, had to come
out and defend him!
ARod is "only" projected to have 119 RBIs (after
130 last year when he was MVP) and 34 HR. When I present this info to Yankee
fans they say "But he only hits home runs when we are already in the lead."
So what?!?! Pitchers are afraid of him. He still gets the big
hits. he can take you deep at anytime. He plays everyday and protects the other
batters in the lineup. He plays hard. Only Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter are
batting better than him this year (and Daman not by much.)
Contrast the boos
with Mike Piazza's return to Shea Stadium. So many standing ovations and cheers.
Mike hit a home run and the crowd made
him come out for a curtain call. What class. I don't think this ever
happened before in Shea Stadium, a player from another team making a curtain
call! Mike was reluctant since he did not want to show up the Mets, but said:
"The game is nothing without the fans." (Even more
class.)
So Mets and Yankee
fans you all can learn something from this: stop the unnecessary boos. Boo when
someone dogs it, but not because they are in a slump. If you cheer ARod every
day you will only help him hit and help the Yankees win. If Carlos Beltran has a
slump don't boo, remember all the good he has done this year. These guys are
capable, don't forget that. I know booing is as much a New York right
as complaining about the subway but show some class. Keep it up and in a few
years all the good players won't want to come play here anymore, despite all of
George's money.
Posted by Steve in New
York.
Break out the brooms at Shea and Kansas City
As great as the Mets have played at Shea this season, it was their first three game sweep over MMP and the NL West leading San Diego Padres.
Speaking of sweeps, thank God for the KC Royals sweeping the Boston Red Sox. Even though the RS had an emotional pre-game meeting, the Royals came through for me and themselves. The next time I see someone from KC, e.g. ESPN's Jason Whitlock, Mr. Buck O'Neil, etc. drinks are on me. (This is in keeping with my tradition for buying drinks for out-of-town friends whose teams beat my opponents. For instance, as the Oakland As took three out of four against the RS at Fenway, I am going to buy my buddy San Diego Rich drinks the next time he is in the City or I am in San Diego as SD Rich is a huge As fan.)
The Yankees unfortunately lost 5-4 against the Chicago White Sox. The Yankees still thankfully lead the RS by three games with two games in hand.
Go Yankees! / Go Mets! / Go Royals!
Post by The Tank in New York
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Dreaming of a Subway Series
Wednesday night at Shea Stadium presented the best of the past and present. It was great having "Metal Mike" Piazza (MMP) back in town. He hit a couple of home runs but the Mets still won. Kind of weird writing it but time moves on and so did MMP to San Diego.
As for the Yankees, Randy Johnson pitched an unbelievable no-hitter through six innings. He then lost the no-no and the Yankees barely but thankfully held on 7-6. Most importantly, the Red Sox lost to the Royals. The Royals played the RS tough at Fenway and lost a couple of tough 1-0 games.
The dream scenario for me is to see the Mets and Yankees face off in a Subway Series in October. I couldn't get a ticket to the last one. I tried every trick in the book short of knocking off my manager's boss, Director Steve, who got tickets from a vendor; I hated one of the vendor's consultants but Director Steve is a good guy and a huge baseball fan so I couldn't do that to him. Plus, he is my manager's boss -- would have hurt my employment and career development.
As summer becomes fall, you'll hear more from The Tank.
Posted by The Tank in New York.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
The Commercialization of Everest
On May 14 2006, David Sharp climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest, a superhuman feat. On top of the tallest mountain in the world at 29, 028’ (8,850 M) it must have been a thrill- the Himalayas are mesmerizing.
 After taking in the summit and all its beauty, David started the long decent down to camp. Unfortunately he got hit with altitude sickness and on the way down at 28,500’ (8, 686 M) and was left behind for dead by his team (who officially declared him dead). Sharp then crawled under a rock overhang next to a dead Indian climber for shelter. Other teams were attempting to summit that day and forty other climbers near the summit walked right past him and let him die. Some passed him twice, once on the way up to the summit and once on the way down.
Double-amputee climber Mark Inglis made it up and down safely and when interviewed by the media told of Sharp’s story. At the exact same time another climber was left for dead by his team, Australian climber Lincoln Hall. Luckily Hall was found alive by some other climbers who selflessly gave up their own summit attempt and stayed with him until a party of 12 sherpas came to carry him down. (Hall did made it and is now ok.)
Hall lived and Sharp died. Hall was rescued by kind climbers and Sharp was passed by selfish climbers. The morality of Everest is under attack.
I say to all of those who judge the climbers who walked past Sharp on the mountain that day: you can only judge if you have been at altitude on a climb. I have been to Everest and lived and worked with the Sherpa for a month, they are the kindest and warmest people you can ever meet. If Sharp looked like he was alive and a rescue was possible, they would have done it. Several people did stop and help, two climbers even gave him some of their own oxygen, but they were confused and thought he was with another team, not stranded. Sharp was not responding clearly enough for them to think otherwise. Later on Sharp was laying down next to the dead Indian climber and was presumed dead. There is much confusion at altitude where the oxygen is thin. Hall was not in as bad of shape and was more responsive, was in a less confusing situation and made it.
Sir. Edmund Hillary and Jon Krakauer (of Into Thin Air fame) have loudly complained that tragedies like this are the result of the commercialization of Everest. This is not the commercialization of Everest, this is the popularity of Everest; people want to do Everest and it gets crowded. Statistically more people die on Everest in the 1960s when nobody was on the mountain than they do today when it is crowded. David Sharp most likely would have walked past himself. David Sharp would also most likely also have stopped to help Lincoln Hall.
Most professional climbers disagree with Hillary and Krakauer’s criticism. But some "real" climbers now want to keep the "paying" climbers off the mountain. Let me tell you, every "paying" climber I met was an amazing person who was in amazing shape with lots of experience. Anyone who trains, has some experience, and is willing to pay for an expedition should be allowed on the mountain. They just have to understand the risks that they could end up like David Sharp. I am sure that David Sharp knew and understood those risks. I don’t think we should condemn the people on the mountain that day.
Lastly, I have climbed several mountains, been at high altitude, have even been to Everest (not to the top) and some of my friends have asked me: “What if I was on a summit push that day, what would I do?”
I would have given some spare oxygen to Sharp if I though he was alive (and if I had some spare oxygen) and moved on. I walked past a climber in very bad shape at about 14,000 feet on Mt. Rainer. I stopped and said "Are you all right dude?" He said "No, but I will be ok, I’ll be going down with my guide when he returns from the summit." At that point lacking any emergency equipment and oxygen myself, not to mention the severe pain I was in, I moved on. (He did make it down, I checked.)
Could this guy have been another David Sharp? The fact of the matter is this: people on the mountain have to make life or death decisions and sometimes the correct decision is to move on. The world may not want to hear that but that is the simple truth.
Posted by Steve, in New York.
Editors Note: Read what Garry Porter has to say about this in our interview here.
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