Two stadiums, one good cause
-
- June
- 27
Sam Borden is doing something (hopefully) fun today by walking from Yankee Stadium after Game 1 to Shea Stadium for Game 2. It should make a good column for the paper.
Sam is also taking the opportunity to raise some money for the American Cancer Society. If you would like to donate, click this link.
No need to explain what a great cause that is. We’ll let you know later on today how Sam does and maybe we’ll get a guest post on here from him.
As many of you know, Sam was once the Yankees beat writer at the News before becoming an award-winning columnist. But beyond that, he’s a good dude and a good friend. So if you see Sam on the road this afternoon, don’t throw anything at him.
I’ll be driving to Shea. Please send me money for gas. $132 should be enough.
UPDATE, 9:19 p.m.: Wow, Sam has raised $7,343.00 so far. Hopefully we can get him to $10,000. Maybe Carl Pavano will donate what he didn’t earn today.
Seriously, I know a bunch of you have donated and that’s great. Thanks a lot.
——————
In other news related to columnists from The Journal News, Sam and Rick Carpiniello have started the Face Off blog on LoHud.com.
I was thrilled at first because that’s a cool movie, especially when John Travolta fights Nicolas Cage at the end. But it turns out they’re debating the sports topics of the day (and other stuff), which is pretty cool, too. So check that out.
This entry was posted
on Friday, June 27th, 2008 at 7:18 am by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
“Please send me money for gas. $132 should be enough.”
So at least we know the Saudis will win today
Ah the power of television… YES, ESPN, now the Pirates’ TV affiliates all have power over the Yankees. I hope they’re happy, not only did they piss off the Yankees, but they didn’t even get a game to broadcast. I hope they lost stupid amounts of money.
Pete,
What time did the Yankees get in this morning? Red sox had another day off?
Anybody want to over-under the time it will take?
Google Maps shows it to be 10.6 miles between the two stadiums, as the automotive crow flies, and that the trip takes up to 30 minutes in traffic. But that’s assuming the straightest line and a top speed of 55 mph on stretches of highway. Average, non-fitness, human walking speed – according to the first website I came to – is something like 3 mph. Sam’s a way above average writer, but I have no idea of his ability when it comes to walking.
Figure in pedestrian unfriendly bridges and highways, some serious heat and humidity, a possible thundershower plus detours and the unforeseen and I’m going to have to guess that Sam misses the first pitch at Shea by a bit.
I think it’s going to take him a minimum of 5.5 hours. What do you think?
MLB needs to allow teams (big market or not) to play day games on days before travel – and tell broadcast companies that those days are not subject to change unless by act of God. How many other teams besides the Yanks, Red Sawx, and Dodgers have to deal with these kind of scheduling nightmares?? Not only is it taxing on the players but it (IMO) affects the team’s chances at a playoff run because who knows if in September – the Yanks could use a day off to rest players but now have to play a make up game because some marketing bubblehead wanted to max profits because even ad rates are $2 higher than afternoon ad rates. IMO that feels a little unfair.
I seriously doubt the Rays have this kind of trouble.
Yes, it’s time once again for another Mankees and Yets series.
I hope the weather cooperates for Mr. Borden (and the Yanks/Mets, as well). Fun idea for a good cause.
I had to chuckle when I read this morning where Giambi said it’s not that big a deal going from one stadium to the other because with the police escort it only takes 15 minutes. You forget how close things actually are in NYC when there’s no traffic!
Something needs to be done about the unfairness of the Yankees never having a road get-away day game.
What happens if one of the games is rained out today?
Too bad those lovely doubles and triple don’t count.
I hope the Yankees eat their Wheaties for breakfast (or whatever else it takes to get through the day)!
sunny615 –
I agree. And you know, the amped up ticket prices, hotel rates, and whatever else, it’s probably more Yankees fans who pay those higher prices, not the locals. So Yankees fans pay more to see their team at both home and away venues. I don’t know, it just feels like the Yankees are baseball’s cash cow and its favorite whipping boy.
murphydog –
I guess 4.5 hours for Sam.
Funny NY Times Blog from yesterday –
“Today is Jeter’s 34th birthday, and Jeter contended that since Matsui is not playing, he should have gotten Jeter a birthday present. Matsui’s response? “He didn’t get me anything for my birthday.â€
Of course, back on June 12, Matsui did get a strawberry shortcake from the Japanese reporters who cover him. The best we reporters could do for Jeter today was simply wish him well. No gifts were exchanged, and a smiling Jeter said he noticed the slight.”
I can’t believe Pete, Feinsand, Murti and Kepner couldn’t scare up a Moose Bar and a candle for El Capitan!
murphydog,
I’ve walked a lot of this city and in some big chunks, too. I’ve walked from Broad Street to the South Bronx several times (after 9/11, the blackout, during the transit strike, etc.). That’s baby stuff compared to this challenge. I think the biggest obstacle in Sam’s walk is going to be the route. There is no good, safe, direct way to get there.
I’ll be interested in the time. My best block-rate was straight down Broadway from 96th Street to Broad: 2:10.
My grandfather always says that they shouldn’t have torn down the Polo Grounds. We could all make that walk.
Hi Guys,
5.5 hours???? I’m hoping I can do better than that. Just cross your fingers on a rainstorm not coming up as I’m going over a bridge – that could be bad.
Enjoy the game(s) today and check out the donation site if you get a chance!
Good luck, Sam. Have you got your route mapped out?
3 m.p.h. is pretty slow – I put the over/under at 4 hours.
Good Luck Sam! Nice charitable gesture.
Cool Righetti story. I remember that day. It was awesome. We need another one just like it this year. I’m guessing but from what I can tell – it’ll be either Rasner or Joba on the 4th this year. I hope it’s Joba and he pulls another Righetti from 83.
Sam:
That 5.5 estimate did not take into account your big heart
It all depends on your route and a good tail wind. (Have you thought about swimming from Hunts Point?)
Good luck and remember to take along some water.
I want to wish you good luck again Sam, are you going to get a polic escort like the Yankees? I hope you make the start time for the game at Shea
Sam you should also contact the news, get more publicity for this. Go way over your goal!!
Did Dan catch any rap from the Yankees for missing his flight?
I guess it would all depend on how well he pitches this afternoon.
Doreen – whipping boy indeed. It’s kind of ironic that the Yankees are victims of their own success. But the media outlets (TV) and MLB are still taking advantage of and milking it for all it’s worth and IMO the Yanks are suffering for it. I wonder – if anyone has actually counted/analyzed how many night games the yankees have before travel days versus other teams. This would be telling…
Good luck to Sam. I hope the weather cooperates today. Looks kinda blah here in central jersey.
Good luck Sam and very cool faceoff stuff. I visit it everyday… and sometimes I’m the only commentor. :-/
I hiked 22 miles a day on rocky, mountainous trails, that was carrying a 68 pound pack on my back, 10 and a half miles on even ground is a piece of cake, hardly taxing. Your pace can get going pretty well. Even if you aren’t used to walking.
Doreen
Those Wheaties might be swimming in Red Bull instead of milk today. Followed by a Venti something from Starbucks.
Murphy
I’m going with 4:15. 3:50 if he can hop a few fences and uses EZ Pass on the Triborough.
Scott Proctor sends Torre the Thank You card/
Meanwhile rumor has it the Indians are interested in trading Rafy Perez.
Sam – Good luck to you and your brother!
“Meanwhile rumor has it the Indians are interested in trading Rafy Perez.”
Saw that. He’s another lefty who won’t come cheaply. Has not been as effective as he was last year, but he’s 26, cheap and under Tribe control for another 3+ seasons. He may come more expensive than the Marte and Fuentes.
By the way – if anyone is interested in perusing Sam’s blog – it’s over here:
http://faceoff.lohudblogs.com
If Jose Reyes gets on base in the first inning expect him to score. He will do his normal homo-shake and make our “rookie” pitcher nervous. Can we please ignore him when he gets on base – the rest of the lineup sucks… just concentrate on getting the other guys out.
Part of the MLB.com scouting report on Ponson:
“Ponson made his his Scranton/Wilkes-Barre debut last Saturday, giving up one run through four innings in a tuneup for the Mets.”
““We had a beautiful day, we could have played all day long,†he said. “Now we’re going to get home at whatever time we get home. It’s frustrating. Now we lose another off day and have to come back (to Pittsburgh) and play another game.â€
WAAAAAAA! im so surprised that Mike “Im soft as pudding” Mussina would whine about this to the media.
can anyone give advice on the best way to get parking at Shea Stadium that lets you get in and out quickly? someone gave me tix for the nite game.
we’ve got a long drive from CT, so i’m looking for wquick entrance/exit – i don’t mind walking, or paying thru the nose, if there’s a garage or something in walking distance.
“the rest of the lineup sucks”
Wright sucks???? If this is true, it speaks rather badly about a half dozen or so Yankees hitters.
“WAAAAAAA! im so surprised that Mike “Im soft as pudding†Mussina would whine about this to the media.”
Nothing Mussina said was wrong… 1) Yes, it was a nice day and they could have played all day, 2) They are screwed at getting home early because the rain was delaying flights, that pisses everyone off, 3) Yes, they lose another off day which means the Yanks and their 3-man rotation loses another opportunity to squeeze the 3 into that game.
“Wright sucks???? If this is true, it speaks rather badly about a half dozen or so Yankees hitters.”
Yes. Maybe it does, but it doesn’t change the fact that you should forget about Jose Gayes at first and attack swing-for-the-fences Wright.
“Yes. Maybe it does, but it doesn’t change the fact that you should forget about Jose Gayes at first and attack swing-for-the-fences Wright.”
True. Especially in the game Posada pitches because there’s nothing he can do about it.
Doh! That should read “the game Posada CATCHES”
OH wonderful. This blog is going to be overun by Mutt fans. JOY!
“True. Especially in the game Posada pitches because there’s nothing he can do about it.”
That too. I think you mean catches. Don’t worry about Reyes, let him steal his bases. Focus on the game and concentrate on getting the pathetic lineup out. You should not be getting beat by Luis Castillo, Endy Chavez, Marlon Anderson, Brian Schneider, or Carlos Delgado.
It really sucks that the Mets threw their 2 lefties against us when we were missing Posada and A-Rod, so we finally get to play 2 righties and we are missing Matsui. DAMN!
i think my longest walk in the city was from the MET to E 6th when i first moved to the city. it was fun and a good way to get acquainted with the city. i have no clue how long it took and we didn’t walk straight there.
That said my guess:
Sam’s time: 3.5 hours.
“can anyone give advice on the best way to get parking at Shea Stadium that lets you get in and out quickly? we’ve got a long drive from CT”
You want to approach shea from the east. If you approcach from the west via the triboro/GCP you are screwed.
You want to wind up parking next to the US Tennis Center and take a 10 minute walk over to Shea.
Take the Whitestone to the Clearview. Exit at 35th Ave.
Take local streets to College Point Blvd. and turn west Fowler. You will drive under the Van Wyk and wind up in Flushing Medow Park. Follow the road to the tennis center area and park. You will see where everyone else is parking. Grab a free spot and enjoy the game.
There is an exit from the lot right on to the GCP for a quick exit after the game.