After traveling some 700 miles from home, where every other person (and sometimes me) wears Yankees hat, Cincinnati is full of Yankee fans. Most of them seem to be from Indiana and Kentucky. I wonder if they have an Indiana cheer.
Unlike the three previous days, there has been little down time. Thus less blogging. But I have been trying to make some updates at http://Twitter.com/Fishjer.
We saw the Reds beat the Blue Jays, 2-1, in a good pitching duel. Bronson Arroyo's flowing locks and leg kick was as mesmerizing as it was the last three times I saw the Reds. Tonight we see Johnny Cueto, who's been pitching like an ace, take on the team I see the most back home: The New York Yankees. It's going to be fun to see my "home team" play my favorite team in my old home.
Speaking of old homes, finally making it into Great American Ball Park felt like coming home. I grew up going to Riverfront Stadium and there were some fitting nods to that park that hosted some amazing games and champions. But Great American is great. We were in the 28th row just to left of home plate, still behind the screen. I didn't get a chance to check out much of the park, as we arrived in the top of first right after checking into the downtown hotel — a 10 minute walk to the park. But once I sat down, I didn't want to get up.
The Big Red Hot Dog was delicious. Best hot dog of the trip. It came right off the grill into a steamed bun and they threw on hot sauerkraut, which was cooking along peppers on the grill. There was some tasty brown mustard also. The dog was flavorful, hot and made me want two. It gets 5 stars. I held off on a second dog, knowing there was slab of Montgomery Inn ribs in my future.
The Reds do a great job of celebrating their history and their current players. From the statues and pictures around the park to the stadium p.a. and scoreboard, it makes the game fun. What I like least about the new Yankee Stadium is it is so loud with advertisements, bad crowd games and often awful music between innings. (That Cotton Eye Joe thing is so stupid, I get embarrassed for the greatest sports franchise in the world. They should be better than that. I could write a book about why the Yankees grounds crew doing the YMCA while raking the field is the cause of the 2008 stock market crash.) Maybe the Yankees can pick up some tips from the Reds tonight. Both teams have a great history and have played in a couple good World Series against each other.
We're yet to be in our seats by the first pitch. That ends tonight. Look for us on TV tonight. It's on ESPN nationally, YES back home and FSO out here.
More on everything else when I get a chance. From Reds to Montgomery Inn to Skyline to Graeter's to the Reds Hall of Fame to Maddona's Bar, the Queen City has kept us entertained.
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