Tremendous night in Scranton
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 07, 2008 
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Greetings from the press box at PNC Park. Just watched Kei Igawa pitch a gem as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees beat the Syracuse Chiefs 3-0. The K-Man allowed two hits over seven innings with two walks and two strikeouts.
Brett Gardner was 2 for 3 with two RBI, raising his average to .296. Man, he can fly.
But while the baseball was enjoyable, the best part of the night was meeting about 60 people from the blog who turned out for the night.
Ron Hromisin, a loyal reader and Scranton season ticket holder, organized the whole thing. All I did was show up and get to meet a lot of nice people.
Sometimes in the press box you forget that baseball is really about the people who love the game. It was tremendous meeting so many people who really care about the Yankees. We had folks from age 7 to 70 in a luxury box down the first-base line.
Thanks to Ron, everybody got a SWB Yankees hat, hamburgers and hot dogs and a game, program. Dave Miley came up before the game to say hello and we had a visit from local blogging legend Chad Jennings.
When I started this blog before the 2006 season, I never imagined that it would get to the point where we’d hold an event like this. Thanks to Ron for organizing the whole thing and thanks so much to everybody who showed up.
The Journal News chipped in with some t-shirts and I was able to give most all of them away. So if you see one at the Stadium, say hello to the person. It’s a fellow reader.
I don’t know what was more amazing, seeing Igawa pitch well or getting to meet so many good people. Plus we raised a few dollars for a cancer charity.
Hopefully we’ll hold another one of these events sometime. It was a real privilege for me to attend.
So what happened in the Yankees game, anything exciting?
“So what happened in the Yankees game, anything exciting?”
Nahh, it was a real snoozer. Damon had a six-pack or something.
Hey great to hear the day went so well, you missed a great game in the bronx but sounds like you had a good time. A t-shirts left?? they look great, and i would definetly take one off your hands…
Pete
Pete, how was the fan reception for Igawa at the beginning of the game (I mean before he pitched that gem)
Nah not really Damon just had one of the greatest games Ive ever seen ans oh yea the Yankees one in the 9th.
keep the K-Man in Scranton, but Brett can show up anytime he wants.
I kind of wish that Gardner was on the Yankees I would love him as a 9 hitter. You have to keep that guy of the bases. It would add alot of speed to the back of the line up.
I want a T-shirt. Please, Pete?
I’ll trade ya for some Drive By Truckers bootlegs.
Pete-
I would love to buy a t shirt, maybe you can set it up so the money goes to the charity you mentioned.
“I don’t know what was more amazing, seeing Igawa pitch well or getting to meet so many good people. Plus we raised a few dollars for a cancer charity.”
Igawa pitching well, clearly!
you know I’m a regular reader of the blog and was wondering why there were so few updates to the game today, completely forgot you guys were having this get together. glad to hear it went well and some money was raised for a good cause. Keep up the great blog!
Sounds like you had fun Peter but you seem to miss the most exciting games!
Just got home from the Scranton game. It was great meeting fellow blog readers, and our Guru Pete. I was a great time, and I hope we do it again.
The Scranton team has a better shot at a championship this season than the NY one–that’s for sure, Pete.
watching the Mets vs Pads right now I think SD has to be the defense in the league RF CF well not LF, 3B, 2B, SS, and 1B. They truely have some amazing defenders from Adrian Gonzalez to Brian Giles to Scott Hairston and Kuzz and Greene and the other Gonzalez at 2B. Truely remarkable defense I’m watching here.
i too would love to have one of those tshirts…i like the idea of making it a charity
there are drive-by truckers fans on this blog? yay!
-long time lurker
Pete:
You have to let people know ahead of time. I would have driven up had I known. Maybe later this summer.
He did post it on the blog.
The real question is, are there any other Yo La Tengo and/or Magnetic Fields fans on this blog?
BTW people that went to SWB tonight what was your impression on Matt Carson ?
sounds like everyone had a great time – I’d be in for a shirt!!
Damn Livan Hernandez is so good I wish the yankees had signed him. That 5.32 is so appealing, he is such a gamer and hes clutch too. Livan is such a crafty veteran and an innings eater too, this staff could really use a guy like him. His fastball is sneaky fast and oh did I mention hes such a gamer?
Any TV on the Radio fans here?
Sounds like it was a fun time. Nice
The game today..same old same old
A gamer who eats innings?
http://tinyurl.com/237wlr
Brandon, I tried sending messages to this site from Grayson Stadium in Savannah, GA during the Charleston/Savannah game over wireless. I could send regular messages, but, the filters wouldn’t allow game updates. When did that crap start? 13 innings of ugly baseball all around, especially Charleston.
How cool is that? Cheers!
Pete….I would like a Large shirt please ! Name your price, Meester !
which crap GB
You’ll probably be able to catch the game sometime down the road on Yankees Classics.
Heard it was a great night. Rebecca called me on the way out and said she snagged me a t-shirt. Thanks!! I was there in spirit!
Any Dwight sightings in Scranton? 
Nah Pete, it was a crappy game. I almost fell asleep during it. It was so crappy that Damon went 6 for 6 getting help from Posada’s, A-God’s and Giambino’s shots.
can you ban “The Last Yankee Fanâ„¢ (a.k.a. ERâ„¢)” chicken little has never been a yankee fan symptom
Magnetic Fields right here, enjoying Distortion immensely.
Brandon, why was I able to send text messages on the internet from the game, but, when I added game action, such as discribing Montero’s monster bomb, it wouldn’t accept it. Does Pete’s filters not allow game updates? There were no links included, just words.
*describing*
igawa can carve out a great career as a triple a starter making $4 mil a year.
Cool, BryanK, did you get a chance to see them live on their recent tour?
some of what you people missed
Damon 6 hits and GW
Alex says games not over
Georgy says hello
oh yeh I heard Jesus hit one deep
not as deep as this
I knew back when this was being organized that I would be green with envy after the event passed. Glad to hear everyone had a great time – I’ll have to find a way to make the 12-hour drive next time.8)
Anybody take pictures by any chance?
can you believe this wasn’t the longest HR today ?
Booyah, Brandon. Booyah.
That’s my boy!
and this one dented the facade
(Ahem. The sophisticated “Booyah” in my last post was in reference to Alex’s home run)
Is it me or is Giambi’s home run trot faster than his actual base-running speed?
Tonight was amaing–loved meeting everyone! Will email pictures ASAP.
Today’s clutch performance is brought to you by Simply Damonic
I saw the Stadium homers, but, the 18 year old Montero hit this shot about 435 feet, through the trees in left center and into the street, on a high line drive. I’m telling you, that ball was purged. Almonte had two hits and two steals, but, also struck out 4 times.
Had a blast there everyone. Thanks again Ron…
I can’t wat for the kid to be in a Futures Game GB, I know we have to wait 2 or 3 yrs. for him in the Bronx but it’s going to be worth it.
that could go for Abe or Jesus the way they are hitting.
Okay, I emailed my pictures to everyone who was on the email list–enjoy =D
by my calculations Erick Threets was released Monday so he has till Wedensday when a team can pick him up for free.
God I hope that team is us.
Will someone score a run in this Mets/Padres game..
Brandon, where Rodriguez hit that homer, about 35 years ago, that would have been a triple at the old ballpark. I had the chance to see a few roof clearing shots of Mantle’s in Detroit and one in Chicago. Those were IMPRESSIVE, especially for a 12 year old kid. One in particular, in Detroit, that cleared the right center field roof and the street outside. Measured by two Michigan state mathematicians at 643 feet.
**another run.
I don’t anybody unjuiced in this era that can touch what Mantle did GB, anyone. I am utterly shocked on that statement of how the ball Alex hit today would have just been a triple, literally the batters today would look silly and I still wonder how the old school players did it w/ ease.
GB who’s the closest power hitter you see in this era w/ that type of power from 35 yrs. ago ?
Pete, thanks for the kudos. If it wasn’t for this blog and the paper I would have never thought of tonight.
I personally had a great time and want to thank everyone who attended and was so gracious to me. I appreciate it. I’m already looking forward to planning LoHud Yankees Blog Day 2009.
Rebecca, thanks for the pics!
Ron
crap I didn’t even notice they were in the 10th inning at Petco
hi all! just got in a few minutes ago from scranton! what a nice time putting faces to the screennames! i had a blast!
thanks ron for setting it up! nice to see everybody there!
one of the best parts of it, for me was listening to the yankees game on the drive up! i stuck with it all the way, had a feeling they’d come back!
listened to the mets on the way back, a nice triple-header day!
I’m just amazed I didn’t crash listening to the game on the drive up…
i think i might have cranked it up to about 85 when posada hit his homer!
jorge is such a stud! that was a huge homer! alot of big hits this homestand and the hitting is starting to overcome the sub par pitching. this bodes well for the 2nd half, b/c the pitching will be better with joba, phil, horne and kennedy coming back.
hairston puts one out and the mets flame out again!
Scott Hairston w/ a walk off DEEP one for his standards.
Ouch. Solo HR from Hairston. Padres win.
those Hairston brothers all they do is just kill lefties
Brandon, there are a few, but, as to whether they were always clean, I don’t know. From the right side, Rodriguez is as close to Mantle as you can get, with raw power, average, speed and defense. Left side, Dunn, Fields and Howard have big time power…again, whether it’s natural or not, I don’t know. Left center at Mantle’s time was 457 feet, straight away left was 407 feet and center was 461 feet. Right center was 383 and straight away right was 365 feet, I believe. Everyone knows about the short lines.
Not sure if you ever saw videos of Reggie Jackson’s homer in the All Star Game in Detroit, that hit the light tower, but, Mantle’s was about 75-100 feet to the left of that.
“”Unlike the Giants, I am going to be quiet. They have released multiple things about myself, and if you look back into the media (reports), there is always a source. Well, I would like to know who the source is.
“I haven’t said one negative thing towards the Giants in the newspapers,” he added. “I have never expressed the feelings of the things that you guys (the media) made up. You guys will be able to talk to me (more) if I make it to minicamp.”"
http://tinyurl.com/5sobdj
Um Shockey-what?
Igawa pitched well?
You know you’re in fantasy land. Triple A all star game here he comes.
Anyone ask Miley about JB Cox?
Melancon 2 more scoreless innings at Trenton his ERA and WHIP are looking real good.. he is up to 45 innings…….
I missed the game today live in Calif. so of course not on TV, had it on my phone while at the Dodger/Cub game……
“You have to let people know ahead of time. I would have driven up had I known. Maybe later this summer.”
They’ve only been promoting this thing for months. How much more time do you need???
stuart:: He asked for questions, so of course I couldn’t think of a single thing to ask.
Then again, that he came up at all was amazing.
I want a shirt Pete!
Rebecca can you email me pictures too. You have my email address.
Thanks
Hi all! Just got home from SWB. What a great night! Thanks to Ron for setting things up and thanks to Pete for this great blog. It was fun meeting everyone. My daughter had a blast, too. Have a good night everybody!!
PS Awesome pics, Rebecca!
truely amazing GB
jenn–sure–will take a little while as I have to find your address but will do =)
Got them thanks! Glad you got to see a good game! I thought it would be a stinker when I heard Kei was pitching.
Jennifer – I know, me too! I thought we’d end up seeing a lot of the bullpen tonight. Instead, he pitched really well – I guess AAA is his level. We did get to see Scott Patterson though. It was a great night.
Wow, what a terrific night in SWB. Well Ben, Noah and their two friends are finally asleep (I know that doesn’t help y’all now… sorry for all the screaming!). But they had an awesome, awesome time.
Many THANKS are in order:
-Ron especially for setting this all up, and for helping get the boys’ birthday message on the scoreboard!
-Peter for making the night so special for everyone (and for the presents).
-David S., for interviewing the kids, they totally dug that.
-Rebecca, for the great pix and reminding everyone you don’t have to be 10 to be in awe of a terrific night.
Mostly, thanks everyone for a great time!
I would totally buy a t-shirt, I love this blog so much! I’m always shocked when I find people that don’t know about this place. I love spreading it around– it’s a MUST visit for any passionate Yankee fan.
Yazman – I’m glad they had a blast! Kate did, too. It was just a terrific night all around.
I would most def buy a shirt. Make it happen Pete PLEASE!
For those that were wondering about Jerry Layne, the home plate umpire that was hurt in Saturday’s pitching duel at Yankee Stadium, he suffered a concussion
Layne was also admitted to the hospital for overnight observation.
damn..you could tell Jerry too, Jerry was in a standing 8 count, hope he gets well
It’s late, but I wanted to say how happy I was to meet those of you I got to talk to tonight in Scranton. Wish I could have watched the game in your box. Hope everyone had a good time.
You’re right, Brandon. They would have gone as a TKO. He was definately out on his feet. It was only a foul bunt, but caught him flush and just right.
It would have gone as a TKO** not they would have…
We didn’t get many great pix, and they’re mostly our boys and their friends… but we did get one with Kate, a cpuple with Peter, and one or two of general interest:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....496503079/
Thanks to Ron and Pete and everyone who showed up!
Sadly, had to take off early because the wife was not feeling well. I blame Igawa
Hope we can do that again some time, the drive from Oneonta to PNC was a piece of cake.
I want Kei Igawa tested for Performance Reducing Drugs.
if only Kei would pitch like this for the New York yankees
Our Cal State fullertin draft pick didn’t pitch that good last night
If anyone could email me the group picture we took at tne end of the event (clausenrb@aol.com) i would be indebted, thank you all for a great time and hope we do it again next year.
That is really cool, people. I’d love to attend something like this but I am simply too far away. Sending you all big hugs!
I can see Gardner coming up in a few weeks as the fourth outfielder. He has a good chance to become Abreu’s replacement next year. Shelly really hasn’t done much, although he hasn’t had all that much playing time. Melky better watch his back though. If a Gardner can come up, is fast, and plays good D, and can hit for power, Melky becomes expendable.
I’m glad Igawa is pitching so well in AAA. Hope he stays there!
first time on a computer since Saturday.
Good times. Good meeting everyone that I met! i missed the part when the books were given away, but i don’t read much that isn’t on a computer screen at work anyway. Thanks to everyone!