Royalty sees the Subway Series & meets a few new roadtrippers too!‏

Last year the Mets wound up sweeping the four game series between them & the Yankees. They took the first two at Citi Field then the other two they played at Yankee Stadium. This time the Subway Series started at Yankee Stadium. The King & I went to all four games starting on Monday, May 12th. Here's how it turned out this time around.
 

Me at Yankee Stadium

In game one, the Mets took an early 1-0 lead just three batters into the game. They manufactured a run as Eric Young Jr. lead off with a base hit. He proceeded to steal second. He moved to third on a ground out. He then scored on another ground out. In the bottom of the second inning, the Yankees struck back‎, they loaded the bases with three straight singles to start the inning against former Yankee Bartolo Colon who beared down. He got the next two batters out but with two outs, Brett Gardner didn't let him escape unscathed. He delivered a big blow as he hit a grand slam to give the Yankees a 4-1 lead. The Mets got one back in the top of the fifth inning when catcher Travis d'Arnaud hit a solo homer to make it 4-2. The Mets got even in the top of the sixth when former Yankee Curtis Granderson hit a two run homer to tie the game at four. The Yankees answered right back as they score three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to go up, 7-4. The Mets chipped away as they got within a run, 7-6 thanks to a two run homer by Eric Young Jr. in the top of the seventh inning. The Mets continued to fight back as they tied the game at seven on a run scoring single by Lucas Duda in the top of the eighth inning. They used the long ball again as Chris Young took one out to give the Mets the lead for good as they held off the Yankees, 9-7 to take game one. Lucas Duda saved the game with his glove as he started & finished a beautiful double play to preserve the win. 

Tuesday night after work I returned to the Bronx for game two. I met up with the King at our seats in section 420B row 7. This time the Mets offensive surge continued early as they scored four runs in the top of the first inning. David Wright delivered a run scoring single which was followed by a three run blast by former Yankee Curtis Granderson off Yankee starter Vidal Nuno. The Mets practically gave it all back as the Yankees got some clutch hits with two outs off of Mets' starter Zack Wheeler. Mark Teixeira broke the shutout with a run scoring single which was followed by a two run homer by Brian McCann to make it 4-3 after one inning. The Mets extended their lead to 7-3 with a run in the third & two more in the fourth inning. The Yankees made it 7-4 after four. The Mets tacked on four more in the top of the fifth inning which was highlighted by a three run shot by Daniel Murphy to go up 11-4. This time the Mets didn't allow the Yankees to make it too interesting as they went on to beat them, 12-7.

Wednesday night the series shifted from the Bronx to Queens as the Mets came back home to Citi Field to finish the Subway Series with the Yankees. 

Me with Kristina Munoz & Vincent Reardon

During the game, I got a special visit from a few up & coming road trippers, Vincent Reardon & his girl friend Kristina Munoz who are trying to see all 30 MLB ballparks before they turn 30 years old. They've been to seven ballparks thus far they said. ‎They told me they're making a West Coast trip in late June to see all five ballparks in California. I told them the King & I did a monster trip out there last August. They were in awe of our accomplishments. I told them we've been traveling together as long as they've been alive. Vincent said he lives in Astoria. With that being said, we're neighbors. As for Kristina, she's from the Bronx. I told them I'll guide them along so they can achieve their goal. It was nice to meet & greet them. I expect our paths to cross more often in the near future.

As for the game we saw, the Mets left their offense in the Bronx. They faced rookie Masahiro Tanaka, the sensational Japanese import who has lived up to the high expectations so far. The Mets found out firsthand on this night. Tanaka dominated as he allowed just four hits while walking none & striking out eight as he earned his first major league shutout. He also picked up his first major league hit. As for the Mets, rookie Rafael Montero made his major league debut. He pitched six innings allowing three runs. He walked two & he struck out three. Without any offensive support, he didn't stand a chance on this night.

Thursday night I returned to Citi Field for the finale of the four game set. The Mets bats were once again silenced by another rookie who made his major league debut, Chase Whitley. He didn't pitch long enough to qualify for the victory as he was pulled an out away from doing so. He left with the game scoreless. He did get his first major league hit, a single to right in the third inning. The Yankees couldn't get to another rookie who was making his major league debut for the Mets, Jacob deGrom who went seven innings. They finally got the game's only run a run scoring double in the seventh inning by Alfonso Soriano that proved to be the difference as the Yankees split the series with a 1-0 victory. Like Chase Whitley, Jacob deGrom also helped himself with the bat as he picked up his first major league hit. It should be noted it was the first hit by a Met pitcher this season.

Stay tuned as I plan to recap the weekend getaway the King ‎& I took to Cleveland & Washington DC in the middle of May.

Thank you for reading ‎& following along.

Yours truly,

Gary Herman

Royalty witnesses the return of Robinson Cano to the Bronx!‏

In the off season, business decisions are made. This past winter the Yankees had to make some moves that forced them to part with one of their home grown players. The Yankees decided that paying Robinson Cano a ridiculous amount of money wasn't worth it for them in the long run. As a result, they let him go. Cano wound up getting 240 million dollars on the open market from the Seattle Mariners. He & his representatives initially told the Yankees he wanted 305 million dollars. Apparently that starting point turned them off. They decided to go in a different direction. As a result, they wound up getting Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann & Masahiro Tanaka instead. I personally thought they did the right thing. I would have liked Cano to have stayed with the Yankees because he came up through their farm system starting out in Staten Island. Unfortunately in this day & age, players rarely play their whole career with one team. He could have been an exception to that rule. However, last summer he hired Roc Nation who's lead by Jay Z to represent him as his new agent. That was the first step towards his ultimate departure. For his sake, I hope he's enjoying life in the Northwest. 

On Tuesday night April 29th, Robinson Cano returned to the Bronx as a member of the Seattle Mariners. After work that night I met the King at Yankee Stadium. I didn't know what to expect when he came up to bat for the first time. I figured it would be a mixed reaction. I was a bit surprised how the fans reacted. They for the most part serenaded him with a chorus of boos. That's New York fans for you. They're known for their fickleness & front running not their knowledge & class. When the Yankees make a splash & over pay for a top free agent on the market it's fine & dandy. Now that the Yankees let Cano go, the fans revolted against him. ‎He did what any other proud American would have done, he capitalized on his opportunity  on the open market. In fairness to the Yankees, they can't keep everyone. They made a business decision & they have to live with it. 

Robinson Cano

As for the game we saw, Robinson Cano wound up going one for five in his return. On the positive side, he did drive in a run with a ground out & he got an infield single. On the other hand, he grounded out another time & he struck out twice. He heard the boos all night long. The Yankees lead 2-0 early but the Mariners wound up getting to Yankee starter CC Sabathia who gave up four runs in five innings of work. ‎The Mariners got a two run double from Corey Hart & a run scoring single from Justin Smoak as they knocked out CC by scoring the four runs in the fifth inning. In addition, catcher Mike Zunino got four hits before he struck out his last time at bat as Robinson Cano & the Mariners got the last laugh on this night as they went on to beat the Yankees, 6-3. 

Wednesday night the game was rained out. With a horrible forecast that called for rain all day & night, they wisely decided to call the game off shortly after 1PM in the afternoon. They didn't reschedule the game the next day. They waited until both teams had a compatible open day which turned out to be June 2nd to make up the game. 

Thursday night May 1st they played ‎game two of their abbreviated series. Since the Baltimore Orioles also got rained out & they decided to play a straight single admission doubleheader the King decided to take a Greyhound bus down there instead. As a result, he skipped the Yankee game. Our friend Frank Anichiarico aka Duck took his place. 

As for me, I went there after work. When I got to me seat in section 420B row 7 I was greeted by my pal Greg Venuto who came down from Connecticut with a friend of his to see the game. While he was waiting for his friend to arrive, he stopped by to say hello to me. As always, it was nice to see him again. 

Greg Venuto & I at Yankee Stadium

Shortly thereafter, I got a visit from a fellow ballpark chaser named Roy Spierer who's a big Yankee fan as well. He came up special to meet & greet me. He was all dressed up in his Yankee gear that included quite a collection of pins which he likes to collect. He lives in New Jersey & has a half season ticket package for the Trenton Thunder which is the Yankees Double A affiliate in the Eastern League he said. He mentioned to me that he may take a road trip to Chicago ‎& Milwaukee in late July. I told him to let me know if he needs any advice. I want to personally thank him for coming by. I hope to see him again in the future. 

Roy Spierer & I at Yankee Stadium

As for the game we saw, the Mariners jumped out to a 1-0 lead thanks to a double by Robinson Cano who once again heard it from the Yankee faithful who were on hand. The Yankees got even fast as Jacoby Ellsbury lead off the bottom of the first inning with a home run to tie the game at one. The Mariners regained the lead, 2-1 in the top of the third inning when Robinson Cano hit into a fielder's choice. In the fourth inning, the Mariners extended their lead to 4-1 on a pair of two out clutch run scoring singles by shortstop Brad Miller & center fielder Michael Saunders. The Yankees got a run in the sixth inning when Brian McCann delivered a run scoring single to make it a 4-2 game but that's the way it ended as Robinson Cano who finished one for four at the plate got the last laugh as the Mariners won again. The Yankees wasted a quality start by Hiroki Kuroda who gave up all four runs but one was unearned. As for the Mariners, they got a better performance from their starter Roenis Elias who went seven strong innings allowing two runs while walking two & striking out ten. 

Stay tuned for another special post that will recap a special day I had at Yankee Stadium on the first Saturday in May.

Thank you for reading & following along.

Yours truly,

Gary Herman

Royalty sees a rare weekend of back to back baseball doubleheaders in NYC!‏

Due to some quirks in the Major League Baseball schedule, a rarity occurred over the last weekend of April. The Mets & Yankees were both home. Friday night the Mets played the Miami Marlins at Citi Field while the Yankees hosted the Angels at the same time. With that being said, the King & I wound up going to Citi Field to see the Mets play since we're Met fans.

Official stamp in my 25 Game MLB Pass-Port Book

As for the game we saw, the Mets lead 2-1 until the 8th inning when they got victimized by the long ball as the Marlins hit back to back homers after the first two batters, Giancarlo Stanton & Casey McGehee struck out. ‎Jarrod Saltamacchia & Garrett Jones did the damage to give the Marlins a 3-2 lead. The Mets rallied in the bottom of the ninth inning they had the tying run at second base with two out. They got even as Omar Quintanilla delivered a clutch run scoring single. After Eric Young Jr. doubled to put runners on second & third, former Yankee Curtis Granderson came through with the game winning single to right field to give the Mets a dramatic 4-3 victory. 

Saturday afternoon the King ‎& I went up to the Bronx to see the Yankees play the Angels at Yankee Stadium. 

Official stamp in my 25 Game Pass-port Book

As for the game we saw, the Angels got on the scoreboard first as Mike Trout hit a solo homer to right center field to give the Angels an early 1-0 lead. The Yankees came back in the bottom of the second inning. They loaded the bases thanks to a hit by pitch, an infield single ‎& a walk after Alfonso Soriano took a third strike for the first out. Then Kelly Johnson flew out to left field for the second out. With catcher John Ryan Murphy batting, Angels' starting pitcher Hector Santiago balked which tied the game at one. It also allowed the base runners to move up to second & third. Then John Ryan Murphy delivered a clutch two out two run single to right center field to give the Yankees a 3-1 lead. Jacoby Ellsbury grounded out to end the inning. In the top of the fourth inning, the Angels came back as they capitalized on an error & a double to tie the game at three. In the bottom of the fifth inning, John Ryan Murphy hit his first major league home run which wound up being the difference in the game as the Yankees beat the Angels, 4-3. Since Yankees' starting pitcher Vidal Nuno was unable to pitch five innings, he didn't qualify for the victory. As a result, Dellin Betances who pitched two innings of shutout ball in relief picked up his first major league win. 

Official stamp in my 25 Game MLB Pass-Port Book

After the game, the King ‎& I took the subway over to Citi Field for game two of this rare weekend doubleheader. When we got upstairs to the Royal Court in section 515, I got a special visit from a fellow ballpark chaser. I'm referring to Jeff Haines who came from Kansas to visit his daughter Marilyn who's going to graduate school here in NYC.  It was great to meet & greet Jeff who loves reading what I write. With that being said, I'm very grateful. 

Jeff Haines & I at Citi Field

As for the game we saw, the Mets jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to a sacrifice fly by David Wright & a two run homer by another former Yankee Bobby Abreu. The Marlins got one back in the second inning to make it 3-1. The Mets added a few more runs in the third inning thanks to a double by Lucas Duda to go up by a score of 5-1. The Marlins came back to take the lead, 6-5 as they scored five in the top of the sixth inning. The Mets benefited from a throwing error which allowed them to tie the game at six. It stayed that way until the tenth inning when the Marlins got a lead off game winning homer from Jarrod Saltamacchia to win it, 7-6.

Sunday afternoon the King & I returned to Citi Field for the finale of the three game series between ‎the Mets & the Marlins. 

Official stamp in my 25 Game MLB Pass-port Book

As for the game we saw, the Mets got a stellar start from Dillon Gee who wound up throwing eight shutout innings. The Mets rewarded him with four runs as they beat the Marlins, 4-0. By doing so, they won the series two games to one.

After the game, the King ‎& I went back to the Bronx for our second game of the day thanks to ESPN who decided to show the Yankees & Angels as their Sunday night game that night. As a result, we got to complete a rare weekend of baseball doubleheaders without having to leave the five boroughs. 

Official stamp in my 25 Game MLB Pass-Port Book

As for the game we saw, we got to see Masahiro Tanaka who started for the Yankees. He pitched well as he allowed two runs & he struck out eleven over ‎six & a third innings of work. He was a little wild as he walked four. He left the game trailing to 2-1. The Yankees got him off the hook when Mark Teixeira lead off the bottom of the seventh inning with a homer to tie the game at two. In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Yankees took advantage of a few walks, a passed ball & a wild pitch which scored the winning run as the Yankees beat the Angels, 3-2.

Stay tuned for another special post that will recap the return of Robinson Cano to the Bronx.

Thank you for reading ‎& following along. 

Yours truly,

Gary Herman